Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii to enable the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to research high-value, niche tropical agricultural products; conduct product management; evaluate markets; and conduct food product and nutrition research.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that for Hawaii to be competitive globally, it must diversify its economic base beyond reliance on tourism and revenues generated by the federal government. A revived state agriculture industry holds forth the promise of not only diversifying the economic base but also preserving the green space and life style that Hawaii's citizens and visitors value.

The legislature further finds that diversified agriculture is gaining in value and can become a major component of the State's economy. Sixty-four per cent of the farm gate value of agriculture in Hawaii in 1999 was from crops other than sugarcane and pineapple. By comparison, only twenty-seven per cent of the 1980's farm gate value was attributable to diversified agriculture. To sustain the growth of diversified agriculture and to assure agriculture's continuing contribution to the State's economy, it is essential to identify high-value tropical agricultural products, provide a steady supply of new and improved varieties, and add value to those products.

The legislature further finds that researchers and extension experts at the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources (UH-CTAHR) have a long and successful history of supporting diversification of agriculture. To maintain the momentum achieved, research must be intensified and faculty vacancies must be filled in several key areas.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to enable UH-CTAHR to:

(2) Conduct production management research;

(3) Evaluate markets; and

(4) Conduct food product and nutrition research.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $400,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002 for the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture for human resources to intensify research in:

(4) Food product and nutrition;

provided that the sum appropriated shall be added to the base budget request of the University of Hawaii.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.