Hawaii will host its inaugural Tropical AgTech Conference on Hawaii Island this month.
The conference's purpose is to highlight developing technology solutions for agricultural production in the Islands and other tropical areas, a need that has become more pronounced amid climate changes that negatively affect food production, according to officials. The conference will take place at the University of Hawaii-Hilo Performing Arts Center on June 22 and 23 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To register for the conference, click here.
“Farming is changing dramatically, and it’s vital for Hawaii’s future to develop a strong, economically viable agricultural sector,” said Jason Ueki, the conference's co-organizer with Jim Wyban, who are both aquaculture entrepreneurs, in a statement.
Currently AgTech is more focused on large-scale production, according to officials, despite about 80% of globally consumed food coming from small-scale farms (or those under five acres). For Hawaii, 90% of its food is imported, making AgTech an important topic in the Islands.
“Hawaii’s geographical location, strong [research and development], and host culture emphasis on sustainability, knowledge of agriculture and land management makes Hawaii an ideal location for innovating AgTech solutions for small tropical farms,” said Richard Ha, CEO of medical cannabis provider Big Island Grown Dispensaries, formerly known as Lau Ola LLC, in a statement.
Speakers at the conference include David Slaughter, professor in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department and director of the Smart Farm Initiative at the University of California-Davis; Arama Kukutai, chief executive officer of Plenty, an indoor vertical farm company, and co-founder of Finistere Ventures, dedicated to Agrifood Investment; and Dr. Ku McMahan, team lead for Water and Energy for Food: A Grand Challenge for Development in the US Global Development Lab at USAID.
Here's a complete list of speakers, and the agenda for the conference.
