The Agribusiness Development Corp. (ADC) is making a significant move to revitalize its operations. After 30 years, the ADC is holding its first board meeting on Maui on October 16th, followed by a meeting on Hawaii Island in November. This follows a summer visit to Kauai, demonstrating a strategic effort to engage with agricultural communities throughout the Hawaiian Islands. This shift signals a renewed focus on supporting local agribusinesses and fostering growth across the state.
This initiative comes at a crucial time, as Hawaii’s agricultural sector faces both challenges and opportunities. The ADC aims "to develop an aggressive and dynamic agribusiness development program to facilitate the transition of agricultural lands and infrastructure from plantation operations into other agricultural enterprises," according to its website information. This includes carrying out the necessary marketing analysis to guide the evolution of the agricultural industry, as well as providing leadership in the development, financing, improvement, and enhancement of the industry. Aloha State Daily recently reported on the role and initiatives that the ADC is responsible for.
One key aspect of ADC's mission is to support the scaling up of local farmers and entrepreneurs, and boost economic resilience. A recent report by Maui Now highlights how the state is working to increase opportunities for exporting local goods. This is particularly relevant for Maui, which has a vibrant agricultural scene. With Jayson Watts, the director of external affairs and strategic initiatives at Maui-based farming company Mahi Pono, now serving as chair of the ADC board, there is likely to be a greater emphasis on island-specific needs and opportunities.
Simultaneously, the ADC is under scrutiny regarding transparency. Recent court rulings, as reported by Civil Beat, have mandated greater openness from state boards. This increased transparency could further benefit businesses and professionals in the agricultural sector by providing more insight into the ADC's decision-making processes.
