Printed in the Honolulu Advertiser

Letters to the Editor, Friday. May 11, 2007

Seed Crop Industry Major Economic Force

On Saturday, April 14, you reported that papaya ringspot virus has reached Lana'i.

In the April 29 Focus section, Melanie Bondera stated that the seed crop industry offers "...few benefits to Hawai'i ("Farmers say no to GMOs"). This is not true. The Hawai'i seed industry has a long history of giving back solid economic benefits, diverse career opportunities and substantial state tax revenue.

A study last year by an independent economist under the auspices of the Hawai'i Farm Bureau Federation documents the economic benefits. The study found that the Hawai'i seed crop industry contributes approximately $144 million of economic activity annually to the state through direct and indirect inputs.

In addition to local purchases, this contribution translates to $7 million in annual taxes to the state, $53 million in annual labor income, and more than 2,000 jobs. Crop biotechnology generally accounts for roughly half of the economic contribution.

The seed industry also benefits Hawai'i by providing a wide spectrum of job opportunities for people living in rural areas. These jobs also provide real options to Hawai'i's young people for careers in Hawai'i.

Furthermore, an update from the Hawai'i Agriculture Statistics Service now ranks the Hawai'i seed crop industry as the second largest agricultural commodity in terms of value ($70.4 million), just behind pineapple ($79.3 million) and ahead of unprocessed sugarcane ($58.8 million).

The seed industry has been operating in Hawai'i since 1968 and growing steadily because of the impact and demand for biotech crops around the world.

Sarah Styan
President, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association