Hawaiʻi Department Of Agriculture (2)

By Author: peter main
Total Articles: 208
Comment this article

Hawaiʻi’s agricultural landscape is unlike anywhere else. The islands’ geographic isolation creates world-class growing conditions—and also enormous vulnerability to invasive pests and diseases. The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture (widely referred to as HDOA and, in current state branding, the Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity) sits at the center of that balancing act: promoting local farming and food businesses while defending the islands’ crops, animals, and ecosystems from biological threats. The department’s work spans from quarantine inspections at airports to grading papayas, financing new farmers, maintaining irrigation ditches, and enforcing pesticide rules. It’s a lot—and it quietly touches the daily life of residents and visitors alike.

Leadership and governance
Hawaiʻi’s Board of Agriculture & Biosecurity (BAB) sets policy direction for the department. The board includes county representatives, state department heads, and the dean of the University of Hawaiʻi’s agriculture ...
... college, with a chairperson appointed by the governor who doubles as the department’s director. As of 2025, Sharon Hurd serves as chairperson. The chair’s office coordinates monthly board meetings and steers statewide priorities across biosecurity, market development, and resource management.

What the department actually does
At a high level, HDOA/DAB has two intertwined missions: (1) grow and diversify Hawaiʻi’s agricultural and aquaculture economy, and (2) protect it—through quarantine, inspection, and rapid response. In practice, that work is delivered through a set of divisions with very distinct mandates.

Plant Industry Division
This division is the state’s biosecurity front line. Its Plant Quarantine Branch controls the import and movement of plants, non-domestic animals, microorganisms, and associated materials that could carry pests or diseases. Importers navigate detailed administrative rules that list what’s allowed, conditionally allowed, restricted to research, or prohibited—right down to specific species and microbes. The division also runs Plant Pest Control, which eradicates or contains invasive species, and the Apiary Program. Taken together, these programs keep new threats out and suppress those already here.
A dramatic example is the state’s long-running quarantine on ʻōhiʻa (the islands’ keystone native tree) to slow the spread of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD), a fungal disease. Hawaiʻi has permanently restricted inter-island movement of ʻōhiʻa plants, wood, and even soil unless permitted, and the department regularly reminds the public that transporting ʻōhiʻa from Hawaiʻi Island is illegal. These measures are updated in Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules and public notices as the science evolves.

Pesticides Branch
Within Plant Industry, the Pesticides Branch regulates the sale and use of pesticides, certifies applicators, and provides education to ensure both safety and access to essential crop-protection tools. Users must comply with the Hawaiʻi Pesticides Law and product labeling—rules designed to protect workers, water, wildlife, and communities while allowing growers to manage pests effectively.

Animal Industry and Aquaculture
The Animal Industry programs (including animal disease control and the veterinary lab) work to prevent, detect, and respond to livestock diseases, while aquaculture support services help farmers raise everything from shrimp to finfish. This is critical in an island state where a single pathogen introduction can ripple through supply chains, food security, and export markets.

Quality Assurance Division
Trust is currency in food. The Quality Assurance Division helps maintain it by grading commodities (like eggs and fresh produce), verifying weights and measures at retail and wholesale, and policing fair trade practices. If you’ve ever wondered who checks the scale at a farmers’ market or confirms that a box truly contains a dozen Grade A eggs—this is the team.
Agricultural Development Division
Beyond defense, the department invests in growth. The A (ADD) markets Hawaiʻi-grown products, shares market intelligence, and runs signature branding programs. The best-known is the Hawaiʻi Seal of Quality, launched in 2006 to distinguish genuinely Hawaiʻi-grown or made products from look-alikes. Producers who meet rigorous standards can license the seal, helping buyers at home and abroad identify the real thing.

Agricultural Resource Management Division
Farms need land and water. The Agricultural Resource Management Division (ARMD) manages state agricultural parks and key irrigation systems—lifelines originally built for sugar and pineapple that now support diversified crops. ARMD operates systems on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, and Molokaʻi, and administers leases to help producers access affordable, serviced farmland with the infrastructure they need to succeed.

Agricultural Loan Division
Access to capital is a perennial barrier for small and new farmers. The Agricultural Loan Division fills gaps by providing direct and participating loans at reasonable terms for farm ownership, improvements, operating costs, and aquaculture. Specialized offerings—such as “New Farmer” loans—lower hurdles for people entering agriculture, complementing federal USDA programs and private credit.

Why biosecurity is so central in Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi’s isolation makes it both a paradise for agriculture and a magnet for invasive species. Every day, planes and ships arrive with cargo, pets, nursery stock, and luggage that can harbor hitchhiking pests. A single introduction—coffee leaf rust, little fire ants, coconut rhinoceros beetle, or ROD—can upend entire industries and native ecosystems. That’s why the department’s quarantine rules are so granular and why enforcement matters: permits, inspections, and restricted lists create a firewall against new threats, while emergency and permanent rules give the state the agility to respond when threats slip through. In 2025, for example, Hawaiʻi enacted new agriculture and biosecurity legislation to strengthen protections for farmers and enhance the state’s defenses—part of a continuous effort to modernize the framework as risks evolve.

How this touches everyday life
Much of HDOA’s work happens out of sight, but residents encounter it in subtle ways:

At the airport: agricultural inspection signage, amnesty bins, and restrictions on bringing in fruits, plants, or animals without permits. Those rules prevent costly outbreaks that would raise prices at the grocery store.

At the market: accurate scales and standardized grades mean you get what you pay for, and when you buy a product with the Seal of Quality mark, you can trust its Hawaiʻi origin.

On the farm: farmers can lease land in state ag parks with water service, apply for state loans to expand greenhouses or buy equipment, and get technical support on pesticide compliance and integrated pest management.

Current priorities and the road ahead
Looking forward, the department’s priorities line up with Hawaiʻi’s broader goals: increase local food production, build resilience to climate and supply-chain shocks, and protect biodiversity. That means continued investment in irrigation reliability; faster, smarter biosecurity (think pathway risk analysis, detector dogs, and rapid diagnostics); market development for value-added products; and farmer financing that helps new entrants scale sustainably. Strengthening rules and coordination—across county, state, federal, and university partners—remains essential, because no single agency can contain modern biological risk alone. Recent rule updates and legislative actions reflect that whole-of-government posture.

Bottom line
The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture plays two roles at once: it’s the cheerleader for farmers and food businesses, and it’s the bouncer at the door—carefully vetting what comes in and moves around the islands. From quarantine to quality grades, from irrigation to loans, the department’s programs are the unglamorous infrastructure that keep Hawaiʻi agriculture viable. In a place where one insect or microbe can change everything, that combination—promotion plus protection—isn’t optional; it’s the only way to grow.

Sources: State program pages and rules for divisions and programs; board composition and chair information; Seal of Quality program overview; ARMD irrigation systems; Agricultural Loan Division and new farmer loans; ROD quarantine rules and reminders; and 2025 biosecurity legislation coverage.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) sits at the intersection of food, farming, public health, and economic development. From the dairy barns of Lancaster County to the orchards of Adams County and the urban farms sprouting in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, the department’s work touches nearly every Pennsylvanian every day—often in ways that go unnoticed. Its mission is straightforward but sweeping: protect animal and plant health, ensure a safe and fair marketplace for food and agricultural products, and help the Commonwealth’s agricultural economy thrive for future generations.

A broad mandate rooted in public trust
At its core, PDA is a public-health and consumer-protection agency. It licenses and inspects food processors, restaurants, and retail food facilities; oversees animal health and disease control; regulates plant health and pesticide use; and ensures accuracy in weights and measures so consumers get what they pay for at the grocery store, fuel pump, or farm market. Each of these functions supports the others. A strong animal health program helps keep food supplies safe. Accurate scales and labels build consumer confidence. Plant health surveillance keeps invasive pests from damaging farms and forests that underpin local economies and outdoor recreation.

Keeping food safe from farm to fork
Food safety is one of the department’s most visible responsibilities. Inspectors review everything from small on-farm dairies and meat processors to large-scale food manufacturers, checking for sanitation, temperature control, labeling accuracy, and adherence to state and federal regulations. The department also licenses and monitors farmers markets and mobile vendors, which are essential outlets for small producers.
When problems arise—say, a pathogen is detected in a ready-to-eat product—the department works with producers to initiate recalls, notify the public, and trace the issue to its source. PDA labs play a vital role here, testing samples for contaminants, pathogens, and adulterants. Education is a second pillar: the department offers guidance to help small businesses navigate complex rules, implement hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) plans, and upgrade facilities to meet modern standards.

Protecting animal health and welfare
Pennsylvania’s livestock and poultry sectors are national leaders, which makes animal health a top priority. Veterinarians and field staff conduct surveillance and respond to outbreaks of diseases like avian influenza or swine viruses, coordinating with producers, USDA, and neighboring states. Biosecurity—practices that limit disease spread—is promoted through training, communications, and targeted grants.
Beyond disease control, the department licenses kennels and regulates animal care standards in commercial settings, works with shelters and humane organizations, and administers programs that support responsible breeding and pet safety. These efforts reinforce public confidence while safeguarding the livelihoods of farmers and small businesses that depend on healthy animals.

Safeguarding plants, pollinators, and forests
Pennsylvania’s landscape is rich with orchards, vineyards, nurseries, and hardwood forests. PDA’s plant industry teams track invasive species such as spotted lanternfly, emerald ash borer, and other pests that can devastate crops and timber. They set quarantines when needed, certify nursery stock, and guide businesses and homeowners on best practices for control. The department also regulates pesticide applicators, balancing the need for effective pest management with environmental and worker safety. Pollinator protection plans—emphasizing habitat, integrated pest management, and communication between farmers and beekeepers—recognize the essential role bees and other pollinators play in fruit, vegetable, and seed production.

Ensuring a fair marketplace through Weights & Measures
Consumers rarely think about the scale behind the deli counter or the flow rate at the gas pump. PDA’s Weights & Measures program does. Inspectors test and certify thousands of devices each year, check package labeling for net weight accuracy, and investigate complaints about misleading pricing or short measure. This quiet, technical work levels the playing field for businesses and protects household budgets—especially important when food and fuel costs fluctuate.

Farmland preservation: a national model
One of Pennsylvania’s signature achievements is its nationally recognized farmland preservation program. Working with county partners and willing landowners, the department purchases agricultural conservation easements that forever restrict non-agricultural development on productive farmland. The program preserves the land base that supports farms, buffers open space around growing communities, and provides long-term certainty for farm families making multi-generational investments. It also complements land-use planning by focusing preservation where soils, water, and infrastructure can sustain active agriculture.

Growing markets and adding value
PDA doesn’t just regulate; it also helps farmers and food businesses grow. The PA Preferred® branding program connects consumers to products grown, raised, or processed in the Commonwealth, building local pride and capturing more value for producers. The department supports regional food systems, farm-to-school initiatives, and institutional procurement efforts that bring Pennsylvania-grown foods into schools, hospitals, and universities.
Value-added processing—turning milk into cheese, fruit into cider, or grains into craft beverages—keeps more dollars in rural communities. Through technical assistance, grants, and partnerships with economic development agencies, PDA encourages entrepreneurship across the food chain, from specialty crop growers to meat processors and urban food startups.

Equity, urban agriculture, and community resilience
Agriculture in Pennsylvania isn’t only rural. Urban agriculture programs help communities transform vacant lots into productive gardens and small farms, improving access to fresh produce and offering workforce experience. The department’s grantmaking and outreach often prioritize underserved producers, small-scale operations, and beginning farmers who face barriers to land, capital, and markets. Nutrition programs—like those distributing vouchers for produce at farmers markets—bridge farm viability with household food security, ensuring that public investment supports both producers and families.

Research, innovation, and climate-smart practices
Pennsylvania’s agricultural future depends on innovation. PDA collaborates with universities, extension services, and private industry to support research in areas like soil health, nutrient management, integrated pest management, animal disease diagnostics, and food processing technology. Climate-smart agriculture—cover crops, reduced tillage, precision nutrient application, methane reduction strategies, and agroforestry—helps farms adapt to changing weather patterns while protecting water quality in the Susquehanna and Delaware River watersheds and the Chesapeake Bay.
Grant programs often encourage on-farm trials and demonstration projects, helping producers evaluate new practices, manage risk, and share lessons with neighbors. By linking research to real-world adoption, the department helps ensure that sustainability improvements also make economic sense.

Education, workforce, and the Pennsylvania Farm Show
A resilient agricultural economy needs a skilled workforce—from agronomists and veterinarians to welders, truck drivers, and food safety managers. PDA partners with schools, career and technical education programs, FFA, and workforce boards to highlight agricultural career pathways and support training aligned with industry needs. The annual Pennsylvania Farm Show, one of the nation’s largest indoor agricultural exhibitions, showcases the breadth of the industry, celebrates youth achievement, and connects urban and rural residents through competitions, displays, and (yes) iconic food courts. Beyond the spectacle, it’s a platform for outreach on biosecurity, nutrition, and farm safety.

Emergency preparedness and response
Agriculture is vulnerable to disasters—animal disease outbreaks, plant pests, floods, droughts, and supply chain disruptions. PDA coordinates emergency planning with state agencies, federal partners, and industry groups. This includes surveillance, incident command during outbreaks, temporary regulatory flexibility to keep food moving, and communication that keeps producers and consumers informed. Lessons learned from recent disease events and market shocks have improved contingency planning, from carcass disposal to continuity of operations for food processors.

How Pennsylvanians can engage
Whether you’re a farmer, food entrepreneur, local official, educator, or consumer, there are many ways to engage with the department’s work:

Producers can explore licensing requirements, grants, and technical assistance, and participate in biosecurity and conservation programs.

Businesses can leverage PA Preferred® branding, seek export opportunities, and collaborate on workforce training.

Local governments and land trusts can partner on farmland preservation and zoning that supports agriculture.

Consumers can shop local, attend the Farm Show, and report concerns about food safety or measurement accuracy.

Students and educators can tap into curriculum resources and programs that showcase agricultural careers.

Looking ahead
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture operates at the heart of a dynamic system that must adapt to new technologies, environmental challenges, and evolving consumer preferences. Its blend of regulatory rigor, market development, and community partnership positions it to protect public health while helping farms and food businesses innovate. As the Commonwealth continues to balance growth with conservation, and tradition with change, the department’s steady, science-based approach will remain essential to keeping plates full, farms viable, and rural and urban communities connected through food.

The Bank of Agriculture (BOA) in Nigeria stands as a cornerstone in the intersection of agriculture and commerce—acting as the nation’s foremost institution supporting rural development, agribusiness, and smallholder farming. Established as a development finance institution (DFI), its evolution reflects Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to modernizing its agricultural sector and promoting economic inclusion.

Historical Evolution
The BOA’s journey traces back to its incorporation in 1972 as the Nigerian Agricultural Bank (NAB), with operations beginning the following year in 197
In 1978, it expanded its mandate and was renamed the Nigerian Agricultural & Co-operative Bank (NACB)
A significant transformation occurred in 2000 when the bank merged with the People’s Bank of Nigeria and absorbed the risk assets of the Family Economic Advancement Programme (FEAP), forming the Nigerian Agricultural, Co-operative & Rural Development Bank (NACRDB)
Finally, in October 2010, a rebranding initiative led NACRDB to become the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) Limited, marking its modern identity and ongoing institutional transformation

Ownership and Mandate
The BOA is fully owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria, with ownership shared between the Federal Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) (60%) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) (40%)
Its mission is straightforward yet impactful: to stimulate agriculture, improve lives, and grow communities  The bank functions as a key development finance institution tasked with providing agricultural credit and financial services tailored to rural populations and agribusiness ventures.

Core Functions and Services
BOA’s product portfolio covers a wide range of support across farming and commercial activities:

Direct Credit Products: Loans for small and medium agricultural enterprises, typically above ₦250,000

Large Credit Products: Financing large-scale agricultural operations, with loan sizes from above ₦50 million up to ₦1 billion

Youth Agricultural Revolution in Nigeria (YARN): Empowering young people to view agriculture as an investment and career path

Grow and Earn More (GEM): Programs designed to support women in entering agribusiness

On-Lending Credit: Partnering with state governments, NGOs, and cooperatives to reach grassroots-level beneficiaries

Agro-Processing Facilities: Financing to reduce post-harvest losses and support food security through value-chain development

Mechanization Services: Establishing agricultural equipment hiring centers nationwide, equipping each with tractors and other machinery

Overall, BOA’s products are not just loans—they’re strategic initiatives aiming at enhancing Rwanda’s agricultural productivity (but note we’re speaking of Nigeria) and bridging commercial elements such as processing, mechanization, and inclusion.

Institutional Strengths & Reach
BOA is Nigeria’s largest agricultural development finance institution, with the widest rural outreach
Its operational network includes over 200 outlets nationwide, bolstered by six zonal offices and a head office in Lagos or Kaduna—ensuring deep penetration into rural areas
The bank maintains strategic partnerships with international bodies such as USAID, IFAD, the World Bank, RUFIN, and ECOWAS, as well as national agencies like the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Women Affairs, and others. These alliances reinforce BOA’s capacity and outreach
Its core values—Professionalism, Integrity, and Customer Focus—guide its operations and institutional culture

Impact and Challenges
BOA has had a tangible influence on Nigeria’s agricultural sector:

Rural Impact: By delivering credit directly to farmers and rural entrepreneurs, it enhances food production, stimulates local economies, and boosts livelihoods.

Commercial Integration: Through its agro-processing and mechanization initiatives, BOA embeds commercial efficiency into subsistence farming.

Inclusion: Programs like YARN and GEM aim specifically at improving participation among youth and women, often underserved segments in rural finance.

However, the institution has faced challenges—particularly with non-performing loans (NPLs), which have hampered its capacity to sustain long-term impact and financing scalability

Leadership Dynamics
From time to time, leadership transitions reflect evolving strategic directions. For instance, on April 4, 2025, Mr. Ayo Sotinrin was appointed Managing Director of BOA by President Bola Tinubu, signaling renewed vigor in the institution's leadership

Future Prospects and Reform
There have been proposals to merge BOA with the CBN's NIRSAL Microfinance, aiming to consolidate strengths, reduce overlap, and extend microfinance services more effectively across rural sectors
Additionally, reform efforts seek to recapitalize and restructure BOA—potentially involving farmers’ cooperatives and public stakeholders—to enhance its reach, governance, and financial sustainability

Conclusion
From its inception as a purely agricultural bank to its current status as a multifaceted development finance institution, the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) has become a crucial player in merging agricultural development with commercial progress across Nigeria.
Its history shows adaptability and resilience—from structural transformations to strategic rebranding. Its services, rooted in inclusive financing, mechanization, and agro-processing, actively support farmers and agribusinesses. Institutional strengths and partnerships amplify its reach, while leadership changes and reform plans reflect ongoing efforts to enhance effectiveness.
BOA’s journey underscores a broader ambition: to transform agriculture into a sustainable and commercialized engine for rural development, inclusivity, and economic growth in Nigeria. Should you wish, I can help further—perhaps zooming in on specific BOA programs (like YARN or agro-processing), exploring its performance data, or comparing it with similar institutions internationally.