Federal Government
Federal Government agencies supporting and regulating agriculture and food production.
Associated Challenges:
Lack of Coordination Among Stakeholders | There is limited coordination between producers, government agencies, and industry groups, hindering collaboration and the development of unified strategies to address systemic issues like transportation, market access, and workforce shortages. |
Permitting Delays | Lengthy permitting processes, particularly for infrastructure projects like cold storage and processing facilities, delay necessary investments. Producers face significant challenges navigating Hawaii’s regulatory and permitting framework. |
Pest and Disease Management | Coffee and macadamia nut producers face persistent challenges from pests such as the Coffee Berry Borer and macadamia felted coccid, which lower yields and increase costs. Research into pest-resistant varieties is critical for mitigation. |
Complex Food Safety Compliance | Small farmers face difficulties complying with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and other food safety standards. The cost and complexity of compliance prevent many from accessing certain markets and limit their ability to scale. |
Inadequate Technical Assistance | Limited access to technical support services, such as extension programs and research institutions, constrains farmers' ability to implement modern farming techniques and business practices, particularly among small farms. |
Lack of Available Data and Market Information | Insufficient access to reliable market data and demand information constrains decision-making for both producers and buyers. This results in inefficiencies in pricing, production volumes, and market opportunities. |
The federal government, primarily through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), plays a significant role in supporting Hawai'i's agricultural sector. Federal programs offer financial assistance in the form of grants, loans, and disaster relief funds to both large-scale and small-scale producers. Federal agencies are also responsible for enforcing national agricultural regulations, including the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which impacts producers across the state. Other federal entities, such as the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), provide crucial funding for research, conservation, and technical assistance to address the unique challenges faced by Hawai'i's agricultural sector.
Staple Food Commodities
For staple food commodities, federal government programs offer critical financial support, particularly through the USDA’s various grant and loan programs, which are designed to help producers improve their operations and expand local food production. However, small farmers often struggle to navigate the complex bureaucracy associated with accessing federal resources, which can be time-consuming and burdensome. Compliance with federal regulations, such as the FSMA, is also a significant challenge, especially for smaller producers who may lack the infrastructure or resources to meet the strict food safety standards. Despite these challenges, federal conservation programs, such as the NRCS’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), have provided support for sustainable farming practices, helping farmers adopt more climate-resilient approaches to staple food production.
Export Commodities
In the export commodities sector, the federal government plays a key role in supporting pest and disease management, agricultural research, and export compliance. USDA programs, such as the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, have helped support producers dealing with pests like the Coffee Berry Borer and macadamia felted coccid, which have caused significant crop losses. Federal research funding has been instrumental in identifying new strategies for pest control and improving crop resilience. However, stakeholders in Hawai'i’s export commodities sector argue that more consistent federal support is needed, particularly in research and infrastructure development, to address long-term challenges and improve the competitiveness of Hawai'i’s agricultural exports. Federal disaster relief programs, such as those administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), have also been critical in helping farmers recover from natural disasters, but stakeholders emphasize the need for proactive measures to build long-term resilience in the face of climate change and other systemic challenges.