Report Title:

Agricultural Marketing; Cooperatives; ADC

Description:

Establishes a 5-year pilot project under the Agribusiness Development Corporation to assist farmers with marketing their produce and products.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2665

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL MARKETING.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The agriculture industry in Hawaii is experiencing a rebirth. Gone are the days of huge sugar and pineapple plantations. In its place is a new era of diversified agriculture that has the potential to provide unprecedented economic and employment opportunities.

At the center of this new era is a hard-working, hearty group of successful entrepreneurs that have mastered the intricacies of agricultural production and marketing. Their success, however, is more of the exception rather than the rule. Many farmers still struggle to make ends meet. Although earnest in their efforts, they lack the wherewithal to adequately market their produce to a growing local and foreign demand.

The purpose of this Act is to assist farmers with marketing their produce by establishing a temporary agriculture cooperative under the agribusiness development corporation.

SECTION 2. The agribusiness development corporation shall establish an agricultural cooperative under chapter 421, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in the county of Maui to assist farmers with marketing their produce and products.

SECTION 3. The corporation shall provide its knowledge and resources, as well as solicit assistance from successful local agricultural entrepreneurs to develop a marketing plan and strategy that fully represents all segments of the diversified agricultural sector in Maui.

SECTION 4. The corporation shall annually report its findings, recommendations, and progress to the legislature, twenty days prior to the beginning of each regular legislative session, beginning in 2003.

SECTION 5. The corporation may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to effectuate this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval and shall be repealed on December 31, 2007.

INTRODUCED BY:

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