Seeds 101: Hawai‘i Crop Improvement Assoc.

Editor’s note: This is the fifth article of a five-part series. Past Business editions included responses from Kaua‘i’s four seed companies: Pioneer Hi-Bred, Syngenta Hawai‘i, Dow AgroSciences and BASF Plant Science.

LIHU‘E – In an attempt to better understand Kaua‘i’s four seed companies, The Garden Island enlisted a representative from Hawai‘i Crop Improvement Association, an organization that represents seed companies throughout the islands, to participate in a basic questionnaire.

The following information has been provided by Alicia Maluafiti, executive director of HCIA in ‘Ewa Beach, O‘ahu:

Q: What is Hawai‘i Crop Improvement Association?

A: HCIA was founded on Molokai in 1971 by Dr. James Brewbaker, affectionately known as Dr. B., a professor at University of Hawai’i Manoa’s Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

Dr. B is recognized internationally for his accomplishments in plant breeding and genetics over the last 50 years. HCIA began as an offshoot of the Corn Research Program at CTHAR, but today serves as a nonprofit trade association representing the agricultural seed industry in Hawai‘i.

HCIA is a membership organization, so we are funded through membership dues, sponsorships and grants.

Q: Which companies does HCIA represent?

HCIA member companies include Dow AgroSciences, Monsanto, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Syngenta and BASF. All are proud members of Hawai‘i’s agricultural and life sciences industries, producing seed corn, soybean, sunflower and cotton.

HCIA member companies are located on O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, Maui and Molokai, and employ nearly 2,000 employees – 25 percent of the total agricultural labor force.

There are few industries in Hawai‘i that have been able to increase their employee workforce in the way that Hawaii’s seed industry has in recent years. The seed industry has seen a dramatic 73 percent increase in job growth since 2006.

With its year-round growing season, skilled workforce and expert knowledge base, many agricultural companies view Hawaii as a key part of their research and production.

Seed companies grow and harvest on approximately 7,000 acres of agricultural lands, of which seed corn makes up 92 to 97 percent of the industry’s value. HCIA growers use conventional as well as biotechnology plant breeding methods to grow their seed crops.

Q: What are the top three contributions HCIA has made to the crop improvement industry?

HCIA has been a visible and vocal advocate for the seed industry; so outreach, education and advocacy at the state level has been a key contribution for the industry.

In an industry as competitive as agricultural biotechnology, HCIA has successfully brought together companies to find common ground on issues that impacted the industry and collaborated on solutions to problems that farmers continue to face.

The production of (a video called) “Seeds of Promise” has been of value to not just the seed industry but to other allies and stakeholders supportive of agricultural biotechnology.

Q: As a lobbyist for HCIA, what issues are you pursuing currently at the state level?

As a member of the agricultural community, our primary issues are the issues that impact all farmers: land, water, infrastructure, labor and right to farm.

Although we often face opposition to genetically engineered crops – and therefore a litany of bills that attempt to restrict the work of the industry – repair and maintenance of Hawai‘i’s 100-year old irrigation systems on all islands continues to be one of the most critical issues facing farmers, because without water, they cannot farm.

Preserving and protecting important agricultural lands are also an important priority. With urban encroachment and an influx of transplants interested in owning a piece of paradise, many farmers, including the seed companies, fight year after year for the right to farm, which includes access to water, integrated pest management and other issues that are challenged by neighbors relocating to rural communities.

Q: Why do seed company matter?

As a whole, the seed industry matters because the fact is that fewer people are farming now than ever before while the world’s population is rapidly increasing. With more people, more food will be needed. At the same time, there is little remaining productive land for farming unless we destroy valuable rainforest and wetland habitats.

Thanks to developments in agriculture biotechnology and genetic engineering, more and better food can be grown on land already being farmed. And pest-resistant and stress-tolerant crops can be developed to reduce the risk of crop failure due to drought and disease while contributing to improved health and a safer, cleaner environment.

As one of the primary biotech research and development centers on the planet, Hawai‘i can play a critical role in helping to ensure that the U.S. and the world have enough food to meet demands in the future.

Biotechnology offers one of the most promising, safest and sustainable solutions to achieve this goal. With over two decades of scientific research surrounding the many developments in crop biotechnology today, a great deal has changed in the field of agriculture.

Q: What are the biggest challenges seed companies face?

The biggest challenge facing the seed industry is education. Opponents use misinformation to spread fear about the “risks” of biotechnology. Today, with the access and convenience of the World Wide Web, as well as social media, it’s very easy to get wrong information without properly checking the credibility of the source.

For most farmers and researchers, they are busy working in the fields or in the lab, so taking a pro-active approach to addressing and correcting misinformation often takes a back seat.

Although companies, as well as HCIA, make concerted attempts to engage in more comprehensive outreach and education initiatives, we need to do better. We hope that the public will keep an open mind about the benefits and potential of agricultural biotechnology to solve problems, rather fixate on philosophical differences to science.

Q: Do you feel there is a lot of political support for the seed industry in Hawai‘i, and who are its biggest elected supporters?

The work of HCIA to educate and advocate about the benefits of agricultural biotechnology is a never-ending task. Elected officials must balance the needs and interests of all constituents, so we don’t ever expect political favors.

But the agricultural community, business leaders, elected officials, researchers and other community members value the role of the seed industry in Hawai‘i – not just our economic contribution to the state. We believe we are growing the future of worldwide agriculture in Hawai‘i, and that is a responsibility that many people value and embrace.

We have never polled elected officials about their support or opposition of genetically engineered crops. We believe most elected officials take the time to educate themselves – using credible references – about the benefits of biotechnology. Some may have a philosophical and ideological opposition to the industry, but we respect their position and perspective nonetheless.

Q: Which federal or state legislation, in the immediate past to immediate future, has affected the GMO industry most?

Agricultural biotechnology is the most regulated industry in the nation. Although the USDA, FDA and EPA are all federal agencies regulating the seed industry, we are also regulated locally by the Hawai‘i State Department of Agriculture.

After more than 16 years of strict regulatory enforcement, we would prefer that, where appropriate, the state and county defer policymaking to the government agencies that have the most experience and national resources to effectively regulate the industry.

Locally, fear-based arguments that lack sound scientific evidence have attempted to ban genetically engineered crops in Hawai‘i. HCIA regularly monitors proposed legislation that could affect Hawai‘i’s seed industry and seed company operations.

There are numerous measures that are introduced each year and it’s impossible to point to a single piece of legislation that impacts genetically engineered crops the most.

Q: Do seed companies receive any agriculture-related government subsidies?

The seed industry receives no government subsidy to grow food. Currently, here in Hawai‘i, no seed company is growing crops for biofuels. I’m not aware of any Hawai‘i seed company receiving agricultural-related subsidies from the government and none specifically related to the research work we do here in Hawai‘i.

Q: What are your thoughts on GMO taro? Did HCIA get involved in this issue and, if so, what was its position?

Our member companies are not involved with growing genetically engineered kalo, but on principle, we oppose bans on research. We support the farmer’s right to choose the growing method that is most appropriate and viable for them.

Q: Is HCIA of the position that there are absolutely no negative externalities to genetically modified food?

There is risk in every decision that we make in our lives, but the question always comes down to whether the benefits outweigh the risk.

By 2025, 3 billion people will live in water-stressed conditions. Field-testing is well underway for a variety of crops that are genetically engineered to grow on land affected by water shortages.

By 2050, we will need to feed a projected 9 billion people using innovative technologies that encourage sustainable agriculture. We will have fewer farmers and less land to farm on, so we need genetically engineered crops to improve yield.

There are people that have a philosophical and ideological opposition to genetically engineered crops, but HCIA supports a scientific and evidence-based approach to addressing negative externalities often cited by opponents.

The greater risk to the world is not using science and technology to further social good, such as feeding a growing population – especially those in third-world countries.