Hawaii has a unique program that was created by the 1978 Constitutional Convention to promote diversified agriculture. This program, known as Important Agricultural Land (IAL), provides reimbursements to geographically disadvantaged producers in Hawaii, Alaska, and island areas for part of the cost of transporting agricultural products or inputs used to produce an agricultural product. A study conducted by Kurashima and his colleagues examined how three traditional Native Hawaiian agricultural systems (dryland, agroforestry, and lo'i) could contribute to meeting Hawaii's food sufficiency needs in the face of climate change problems. Matthew Loke, administrator of the state Department of Agriculture, noted that not all land labeled as agricultural is arable.
The state also has a voluntary program that provides tax credits to farmland owners who meet certain criteria, such as whether the land is capable of producing sustained high agricultural returns. The government policies in place in Hawaii have had a significant impact on agricultural production on Oahu's farms. The IAL program has helped to promote diversified agriculture and has provided reimbursements to producers in certain areas. Additionally, the voluntary program that provides tax credits to farmland owners has incentivized landowners to make their land arable and capable of producing sustained high agricultural returns. The IAL program is an important tool for promoting sustainable agriculture in Hawaii. It helps farmers access resources they need to produce high-quality products and encourages them to diversify their crops.
Additionally, the tax credits provided by the voluntary program have encouraged landowners to make their land arable and capable of producing sustained high agricultural returns. The government policies in place in Hawaii have had a positive impact on Oahu's farms. The IAL program has helped farmers access resources they need to produce high-quality products and encouraged them to diversify their crops. The tax credits provided by the voluntary program have incentivized landowners to make their land arable and capable of producing sustained high agricultural returns. These policies have helped ensure that Oahu's farms remain productive and sustainable.
