The next installment of the Hawaii Agricultural Foundation’s Eat Think Drink series will focus on the integration of tech in the ag industry.
Titled AgTech: Growing Innovation, the event will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 25, at Tidepools by Central Pacific Bank. It will feature a panel discussion with local leaders in farming and tech, as well as keynote speaker Jeremy Williams, the head of Climate LLC and Digital Farming for the Crop Science division of Bayer.
In a statement announcing the event, HAF explained that ag tech is the use of technology in agriculture, with the goal of improving crop yields, efficiency and profitability for farmers. Examples include utilizing drone technology to monitor crops, and implementing automation to support farm workers.
“With the cost of land, water, energy, equipment, inputs and labor continuing to increase at alarming rates, the future viability of agriculture in Hawaii will depend on creating efficiencies and sustainable practices through innovation and technology,” HAF stated. “Leveraging advances in robotics, artificial intelligence, global position systems, computer mapping, data collection, and digitization, to name a few, can give farmers the tools and knowledge they need to turn a profit, and to grow and sustain their businesses.”
Williams’ keynote address will focus on how Bayer’s use of science and technology at its farms increases efficiency and improves sustainability in its operations.
“We’re excited to have such an esteemed speaker, Jeremy Williams of Bayer, to share with us new technological advances that can have a major impact on the business of farming,” said Denise Yamaguchi, executive director of HAF, in the statement. “With the world population rising at an exponential rate, AgTech will be needed to meet the growing worldwide demand for food.”
The event also will include a panel discussion featuring Frederick Cowell, general manager of Kauai Coffee Co.; Ian Kitajima, director/tech Sherpa of Oceanit; and Leilyn Koev, administrator of Kawamata Farms. Rick Hamada, iHeart Media Hawaii’s director of public service and talk show host, will moderate.
The event also will feature a gourmet bento crafted by Chef Keaka Lee of Kaimuki restaurant Kapa Hale. A vegetarian option will be available.
HAF launched the Eat Think Drink series in 2016 in an effort to raise awareness about food issues and to provide a platform for the community to learn about food and the people who grow it. This marks the 19th installment in the series.
Tickets cost $85, which includes the bento and two drink tickets for beer or wine. For more information, visit hawaiiagfoundation.org.
