Training & Education

Training and education play a critical role in empowering Hawaii Island’s agricultural producers to adopt modern technologies, improve farm management, and access new markets. However, gaps remain in both technical and business training, with many producers reporting limited access to advanced training programs. For example, while initiatives such as GoFarm Hawaii and the University of Hawaii at Hilo provide foundational agricultural education, more specialized training is needed in areas such as ag-tech, precision farming, and marketing. This gap hinders the ability of smallholders to scale their operations or integrate modern tools into their farming practices.

There is increasing recognition of the value that indigenous practices can bring to sustainable farming, but more needs to be done to incorporate these methods into formal education systems. Expanding peer-to-peer learning programs and virtual training platforms could also bridge the current gaps by making advanced training more accessible to producers across the island. Enhanced training would directly support other system functions, such as improving production efficiency and enabling producers to better align their outputs with market demand.