What Challenges Do Farmers in Oahu Face?

Farmers in Oahu are confronted with a wide range of difficulties when it comes to cultivating crops and raising livestock. Intense weather events, such as drought, unpredictable weather patterns, and a lack of rain in the leeward part of the islands, are just some of the issues they must face. Hawaii's long history of agricultural monocultures has also left a lasting effect on the quality of the soil where farmers cultivate today, resulting in what are known as traditional agricultural problems. The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) should have regional offices in major agricultural centers in the United States that can collaborate with state attorneys general and local agricultural commissioners to protect independent farmers. Other challenges, such as habitat modification for invasive species, degradation of agricultural infrastructure, and inherited agricultural problems, still affect the agricultural viability and competitiveness of Hawaiian producers today. Benefits such as these could significantly enhance agricultural productivity throughout the Hawaiian Islands, create a more sustainable agricultural economy, and provide local families with a greater chance to save money and access locally grown food.