COM 0212.129 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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is also increasing its plantings of avocados (currently 6,100 acres) and its limes (currently 3,300 acres). In addition, Florida has planted sizeable acreage in jack fruit, keylime, mamey sapote, sapadillo, passion fruit, guava and most of the other exotic tropical fruits being planted in Hawaii. There are between 850 and 900 acres of longans and lychees of which approximately 80% aze less than 4 years (not yet mature) and lychee plantings are expected to increase. Florida currently uses a cold treatment on star fruit, but are not under quarantine for shipping lychee and longans into California, Texas and Arizona. In comparison, Hawaii had a total of 415 acres in exotic tropical fruit production (atemoya, star fruit, lychee, mango, rambutan, cherimoya, specialty pineapple) in 1995. How do we expect to compete with Florida with its lower labor and transportation costs as its production capacity increases? How do we expect to compete with foreign production as trade barriers protecting domestic production are dropped? 14) Who will benefit from this facility besides the six farmers that comprise the Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers Cooperative and a couple large independent papaya growers? How will Hawaiian consumers benefit? If benefits are to accrue to both consumers and producers simultaneously, this can only be done at the expense of taxpayers. Why should the County of Hawaii taxpayers direct resources towards a project which will benefit a handful of growers statewide, ultimately benefit producers worldwide through market development, will not create any significant additional employment opportunities, and provide consumers in Hawaii zero benefits since all product is directed at export markets? 15) The fanners of this county are operating without an infrastructure for diversified agriculture. Farms need basic provisions such as water, energy sources, and roads. We have an inadequate intra- state marketing network for expanding the state's ability to provide import substitution of fresh foods. Has the County looked at all the direct and indirect economic impacts which could be realized if this $2 million were spent on establishing better domestic markets? (See attached). 16) Many possibilities exist for processing (such as juicing), dehydrating (through the use of solar technology) and creating value-added products from our fresh fruits. Has an analysis been done to calculate the benefits to our local economy from allocating a $2 million appropriation toward low- interest/no-interest loans for prototype processing businesses? A standard economic analysis would always calculate the opportunity costs (the value derived from alternative uses of funds) of this proposed appropriation. Has this type of analysis been performed? Government funds directed at establishing a much needed infrastructure for diversified agriculture will provide greater multiplier effects (indirect effects) for our economy. Expenditures directed at promoting import substitution and producing value-added products will create jobs, provide more spending of dollars in the state (income multiplier effect), and provide some buffer for our weak economy. We need to make self-sufficiency more of a reality, especially in regards to the $2 billion Aawaii spends annually to import fossil fuels to supply our energy needs (energy crops). A strong agricultural base, directed at both domestic and export markets can provide that economic self-sufficiency. Increased production would result from public policy directed at improving local agriculture's ability to provide import substitution and value-added products. Developing sustainable markets for value-added products will attract lower-cost transportation options and a greater quantity of agricultural support services. 3