Kathmandu, March 24 -- Hemp fibre is found to have been used in making cloth long before the advent of agriculture nine to 15 thousand years ago. Despite its historical significance, hemp cultivation, including for industrial purposes, is banned in Nepal.

Since its prohibition in 1976, Nepal has neither actively pursued nor considered commercial hemp cultivation. However, in some regions, farmers produce fibre and oil on a small scale.

Hemp bags, made from fibres extracted from the cannabis plant, which can grow up to 20 feet tall, are primarily produced in the western hill districts of Rolpa, Bajhang, Jumla, and Bajura.

Locals boil the plant's stem in ash water to separate the fibre, which is then woven into fabric on handlooms. The h...