The Agribusiness Services Value Chain Analysis Workshop focused on identifying interventions to improve data collection and sharing systems within Hawaiʻi Island's agribusiness sector. Participants identified that fragmented data systems, due to a lack of coordination and investment, limit access to valuable market intelligence for farmers, producers, and service providers. The workshop explored the potential of developing centralized or collaborative data infrastructure to reduce duplication of efforts and improve informed decision-making. Encouraging data sharing through incentives or partnerships emerged as a key recommendation to ensure transparency and accessibility.
Discussions emphasized that addressing farmers’ distrust of data collection efforts is crucial. Participants proposed a farmer-to-farmer learning network facilitated by extension agents to promote data sharing and build trust. The group also highlighted the need for training programs, like those provided by GoFarm Hawaiʻi, to educate farmers about the value of data in improving crop selection, production planning, and access to funding. Participants stressed that by integrating improved market data, the agribusiness services value chain could become more efficient, responsive, and capable of supporting farmers at various scales.
Interventions included establishing a centralized data hub, encouraging cooperatives to act as data-sharing entities, and incorporating participatory data collection methods that build relationships with farmers. Developing templates for standardized data collection, integrating educational campaigns on data use, and expanding partnerships with organizations like the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United were identified as key strategies to drive systemic change in agribusiness services.