Are you a farmer seeking ag land? ADC Opens 3,100+ Acres for Growing Food
The Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) recently announced on Oct 5, 2023 that the remainder of its portfolio, just over 3,000 acres of unused agricultural land, will come up for lease for interested farmers and food producers.
HAPA and our community partners have raised concerns about the amount of ADC lands leased to agrochemical companies for experimental field trials for pesticide resistant genetically engineered crops, and the development of pesticide resistant seed for export. Residents living beside these fields have long been concerned about exposure to potential pesticide drift.
Farmer needs assessments have consistently flagged access to affordable leases and water as a major barrier to farming in Hawaii, yet large swaths of public agricultural lands are leased to subsidize multinational corporations for pesticide resistant seed development.
If Hawaiʻi is serious about reaching local food production goals, getting food producers on these lands should be a priority. This recent announcement seems to indicate that the ADC, under its new director, is taking this imperative seriously.
However, several questions remain. Will leases be right sized to a variety of food producers' needs? Will the lease rates be affordable? Will the ADC prioritize farming regenerative practices that build soil health rather than deplete it? Will these vital public (crown) lands be utilized for the public good or corporate profit?
The posting on ADC’s website (www.dbedt.hawaii.gov/adc/) will include ADC’s remaining vacant acreage of 3,181 in Kālepa (160 acres) and Kekaha (2,950) on Kaua‘I; and in Whitmore (65) outside Wahiawā on O‘ahu. ADC is requesting any/all individuals who are interested in agricultural land from any island to fill out an “Expression of Interest” form that will be included online.
While there is no set deadline, the filings by farmers and ag producers will help the ADC board strategically plan how and where food production can expand in our state, said ADC board chair Warren Watanabe.
Established and experienced producers can apply by filling out the Expression of Interest (EOI) Form and email it to dbedt.adc@hawaii.gov. Applications will be reviewed and scored by ADC board members.
Read more about the recent announcement here.
Those interested in the applying can learn more at: www.dbedt.hawaii.gov/adc/
