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Form #: B-52 <br /> 7/18/91 <br /> DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE <br /> REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION <br /> DEPARTMENT: Research and Development DATE: September 25, 2017 <br /> STAFF CONTACT: Glenn Sako PHONE: 808 961-8811 <br /> • <br /> A. REQUEST: <br /> Resolution authorizing County (via R & D) to enter into agreement with Office of Research Services, <br /> University of Hawaii, to provide funding for it's research proposal, The Long-term Rsponses of Coffee <br /> Rootstocks to Root-knot Nematode in Kona. <br /> B. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION (USE ADDITIONAL SHEETS AS NEEDED): <br /> Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes § 46-7, the County may enter into agreements with "any public body" <br /> with the consent of Council. R & D is requesting that Council approve a resolution authorizing R & D to enter <br /> into an agreement with Office of Research Services, University of Hawaii, a public body, for the purposes of <br /> funding its research proposal, The Long-term Responses of Coffee Rootstocks to Root-knot Nematode in <br /> Kona,pursuant to HCC 2-139(3)(c). <br /> Root-knot nematode (RKN) is a devastating pest of coffee that can spread easily throughout a farm and from <br /> farm to farm. Once infested, post-planting soil fumigation is not an option and replanting a farm with <br /> nematode-resistant grafted trees is the only viable method of promoting farm sutainability and mitigating crop <br /> and tree loss to RKN. RKN-resistant rootstocks were introduced to the farmersin 2001, but RKN still <br /> presents a majorproblem to the coffee farmers today as many of them are unaware of the impact that RKN <br /> has on the coffee trees' yield. <br /> This outreach proposal is for$15,000 and will be used to: 1) Evaluate the effects of RKN-resistant <br /> rootstock on coffee plant health, yield and quality; 2) Educate growers about the basics of RKN and their <br /> effects on coffee; 3) Teach growers how to graft coffee trees and about the importance of grafted trees; 4) <br /> Prepare an Extension publication for current and future growers about RKN-resistant rootstocks for coffee. <br /> The term of the contract will end on December 31, 2018. Funds are from 2017-8 Fiscal Year Budget <br /> , 7b5 <br /> SIGNED: � / DATE: /gr/7 <br /> Department ad <br />