COM 0212.085 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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What is being propo~~d is a small batch processing facility to be initially operated on k s_ngle eight hour shift. This plant would have the capacity Co handle up to 30 million pounds of prodti~ t by adding more shifts and or cobalt. Our group does not have the volume of product now to justify the capital resources required to build such a facility, although our current planting should produce at least 3.5 million pounds of fruit at orchard maturity. Papaya from independent growers is the through put volume needed to make this work. The industry standard production for one acre of papaya is 28,000 of fruit. Already a group of experienced independent papaya growers who have leased 200 acres of land for papaya production have pledged that potentia15.5 million pounds to go through the irradiator. Additionally, a large land owner in Puna has 170 acres leased to independent papaya growers and another large land company on the Hamakua coast has 891 acres leased to papaya farmers with an additional 550 acres reserved for papaya leases. Taken together that has the potential to produce over 45 million pounds of papaya. There are many more acres in papaya production not accounted for here. Ten million pounds at $.10 per pound would cover break-even throughput revenue requirements. Our cooperative has a tradition of self assessment to be applied to marketing expenses and we would encourage that practice for all users of the Hilo irradiation facility to generate funds for promotion expenses. This Hawaii County Finance Committee has the power to set the dollar figure in the ordinance and direct how that money should be spent. This is a unique opportunity in Hawaii County for us to take advantage of a partnership offer with a industry leader in a proven technology which is a known solution to our fruit fly quazantine problem. We recommend that this council find a way to work with this company and the agricultural community to make this technology available to Hawaii's farmers. We do not have all the answers as to how to do that, but encourage that you vote for this ordinance and set aside some money to make this facility a reality. Two sound options which will provide the maximum benefits to the broadest community interests while also meeting the partnership needs of the current proposed contractor are 1.)an independent consultant to insure only the safest facility built to the highest standards be constructed and 2.) purchasing research time at the facility which will attract University and ARS scientists to study irradiation applications for other agricultural commodities.