What's Happening?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded a $600,000 grant to the University of Hawaiʻi (UH) to establish a program aimed at training future poultry farmers. This four-year initiative seeks to bolster local food production and decrease the state's
reliance on imported goods. Each year, eight undergraduate students will be selected to participate in an intensive eight-week training and research program at the college’s Center for Applied Research and Extension Services in Waimānalo. Participants will receive a monthly stipend of up to $3,000 to cover housing and living expenses, along with a $500 bonus upon program completion. The grant also includes provisions for flight travel for students from neighbor islands attending the summer training on Oʻahu. The project's overarching goal is to enhance food security across the Hawaiian islands, where poultry and egg production currently constitute only about 2% of the total distribution of farms by industry type, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.
Why It's Important?
This federal grant is a crucial step towards strengthening food security and promoting agricultural self-sufficiency in Hawaiʻi. The state's heavy reliance on imported food makes it vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and price fluctuations. By training a new generation of poultry farmers, the program directly addresses this vulnerability, aiming to increase local production of poultry and eggs. This initiative not only creates economic opportunities for students but also contributes to the resilience of Hawaiʻi's food system. The focus on poultry farming is particularly strategic, as it requires less land compared to cattle or pig farming, making it a viable option for smaller land parcels. Furthermore, the program's emphasis on bird husbandry, feed nutrition, health management, and business skills ensures that trainees are well-equipped to establish and manage successful farming operations, fostering sustainable agricultural practices and reducing the environmental footprint associated with long-distance food transportation.
What's Next?
The first session of the training program is scheduled to commence next summer. Project leader Birendra Mishra, an associate professor in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, stated that the goal is to train 32 undergraduate students over four years, enabling them to either start new farms or support existing ones. Trainees will gain hands-on experience managing newly hatched chicks through a 35-day production cycle, learning essential skills in bird care and farm management. A key component of the program involves laboratory research on alternative feed ingredients derived from local agricultural by-products, aiming to reduce the need for expensive imported feed. Participants will also receive instruction in the business aspects of agriculture, including marketing, leadership, and farm management. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to attend the national Poultry Science Association conference to network with industry leaders and researchers. Recruitment for the program is currently underway, open to undergraduates from all UH campuses, including community colleges.
