Relating To The Strategic Plan To Increase Food Production And Food Security.
The measure aims to establish clearer objectives for food production and export markets, which are crucial for improving Hawaii's food security. It anticipates the incorporation of measurable goals and the development of infrastructure to support local farming operations, including providing resources such as disease-resistant seeds and enhancing food distribution systems. The bill allocates $600,000 from general revenues to facilitate these updates and initiatives, emphasizing the state's commitment to strengthening its agriculture sector and securing its food supply.
House Bill 2338 seeks to enhance Hawaii's food production and security by updating the state's strategic plan, originally established in 2020. The bill responds to vulnerabilities highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically the fragility of food supply chains and the urgent need for self-sufficiency in food production. It mandates that the Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Office of the Governor, revise and expand upon the previous strategic plan with new benchmarks and actionable goals to boost local food production and exports.
While the bill is largely seen as a necessary update to address the current and future challenges facing Hawaii's agricultural landscape, some stakeholders may view it as insufficient in terms of addressing long-standing issues of land access and production sustainability. Concerns may also be raised about how effectively the proposed measures will support local farmers versus larger agricultural entities, given the unique socio-economic landscape of Hawaii.