Sen. Schatz Announces $40 Million State Dept. Grant to Support Hawai‘i Coffee and Cocoa Farms, Boost Production – CoffeeTalk

US Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) has announced that the University of Hawai‘i’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience will receive a substantial $40 million grant from the US State Department’s Feed the Future Innovation Lab program. This grant is set to be utilized over a period of five years, focusing on the research and development of innovative technologies aimed at enhancing the production capabilities of small coffee and cacao producers in Hawai‘i. By fostering partnerships with small farms in six developing countries, the initiative aims to bolster local production and secure supply chains for US markets.

Senator Schatz expressed his enthusiasm for the funding, highlighting its significance for local coffee and cacao farms and reaffirming Hawai‘i’s position as a leader in agricultural research on a global scale. He emphasized that the federal funding will empower local farmers with tools to combat challenges such as drought and invasive pests while simultaneously increasing the output of Hawai‘i’s renowned coffee and chocolate products. As the leading Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, Schatz played a pivotal role in advocating for the revival and funding of the Feed the Future Innovation Lab grant program, underscoring its importance for agricultural resilience and sustainability in the face of emerging threats.

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