Tropical AgTech Hub
Hawai'i Foreign Trade Zone No. 9 (FTZ)
The Tropical AgTech Hub is a visionary collaboration aimed at revolutionizing Hawai'i Island's agricultural economy through innovation, education, and strategic partnerships. Anchored at the Foreign Trade Zone facility adjacent to Hilo Airport, this project will establish a state-of-the-art facility for identifying and introducing new agrifood technologies and innovations to Hawai’i Island’s farmers and food producers. The Hub's mission is to enhance farm profitability and foster greater collaboration across agricultural value chains by serving as a centralized nerve center for agricultural trade and innovation.
The Tropical AgTech Hub‘s core purpose is to become a nerve center for Hawaiʻi Island’s agrifood ecosystem, serving as a centralized repository and dissemination point for shared information, technologies and training. By focusing on market trends, emerging opportunities, cutting-edge technologies, and burgeoning agricultural careers and business opportunities, the hub aims to catalyze a new era of productivity and innovation in Hawaii's agricultural sector.
This project aligns with the strategies developed collectively by public and private sector stakeholders in the Hawaiʻi Island Agriculture Partnership (HIAP), aiming to create a more sustainable and inclusive agricultural ecosystem in Hawaiʻi. The collaboration between educational institutions, government agencies, and non-profit organizations exemplifies the collective impact model HIAP advocates for, emphasizing the importance of strategic cohesion among diverse stakeholders in Hawaii's agriculture sector. To support HIAP’s strategies, the Tropical AgTech Hub will:
1. Serve as a centralized point for innovation in agriculture and food technology.
2. Facilitate the introduction and adoption of new agricultural technologies and processes.
3. Support the development of new agricultural careers and business opportunities.
4. Enhance data collection, analysis, and dissemination on market trends and opportunities.
5. Strengthen the agricultural value chain on Hawaii Island through optimized practices and technologies.
Collaboration
Hawai'i Community College, Hawai'i Foreign Trade Zone, Hamakua Institute, Kamehemeha Schools, County of Hawaii, UH-Hilo, UH-Manoa, Honda Foods
Location
Hawai'i Community College, Hawai'i Foreign Trade Zone, Hamakua Institute, Kamehemeha Schools, County of Hawaii, UH-Hilo, UH-Manoa, Honda Foods
Phase of Development
Planning
Type of Initiative
Project
HIAP Strategy
Workforce Development, Value Chain Development, Market Systems Development
