The theme of HCIA’s 2008 Annual Meeting, “Biotechnology and Sustainable Agriculture: Growing Locally, Feeding Globally,” was intended to provoke deeper, critical thinking and thoughtful dialogue around the idea of “sustainability.” “Sustainable agriculture” or just “sustainability” is an idea that is being discussed not just in Hawai`i, but across the nation and worldwide.

When trying to define sustainable agriculture, there is no simple or single answer because it often means different things to different people. It may be defined according to a specific discipline or from the perspective of a certain audience. And unfortunately, therein lays many of the communication challenges between our industry, the public, and opponents of biotechnology.

Sustainable agriculture addresses the ecological, economic and social aspects of agriculture. To be sustainable, agriculture can operate only when the environment, its caretakers and surrounding communities are healthy. Therefore, sustainable agriculture could be viewed as integrating three main goals: environmental stewardship, farm profitability, and prosperous farming communities.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides a more detailed description: Sustainable agriculture refers to an agricultural production and distribution system that:

· Achieves the integration of natural biological cycles and controls;

· Protects and renews soil fertility and the natural resource base;

· Optimizes the management and use of on-farm resources;

· Reduces the use of nonrenewable resources and purchased production inputs;

· Provides an adequate and dependable farm income;

· Promotes opportunity in family farming and farm communities;

· Minimizes adverse impacts on health, safety, wildlife, water quality and the environment.

A missing link in the discussion around agricultural sustainability is the role of biotechnology. Through HCIA, our member companies and our employees, the seed industry contributes to sustainability through the tremendous environmental, economic, and efficiency benefits of agricultural biotechnology. By integrating new technologies with our agricultural practices, we can live in harmony and balance with our natural environment, but it requires proper planning, management and innovation. Genetically modified crop production paves the way to a greener, more environmentally friendly means to produce enough food, fuel, feed, and fiber to satisfy the needs of a growing world population.

Hawai`i is the gateway for the future of worldwide agriculture. Our collective role and kuleana extends beyond our island state. We now live in a global ahupua`a, so we must do more than “think globally and act locally.” Food, agriculture, and growth must be the fundamental and sustained objectives of our state. It’s very easy to say “no” to genetically modified food when your stomach is full. It’s time for us to “grow locally and feed globally.”

Enjoy our video about the true story of biotechnology in Hawai`i.

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