Hawaii receives $1.37 million from USDA to 'combat coffee leaf rust and save an industry'

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Coffee leaf rust is a threat to one of Hawaii's most important agricultural industries. | Adobe Stock

The Hawaii Agriculture Research Center received $1.37 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to support research to combat coffee leaf rust (CLR) in Hawaii.

CLR is a disease affecting the coffee plant, which is a major export of Hawaii. The funding, announced by U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI), originates from NIFA’s Specialty Crop Research Initiatives program. It will assist in revitalizing the coffee breeding program to produce coffee resistant to CLR.

“Since its discovery in Hawaii in 2020, coffee leaf rust has been a threat to one of our most important local agricultural industries,” Hirono said, according to her website. “This funding is crucial in supporting the work being done in Hawaii to combat coffee leaf rust and save an industry that generates hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity each year. I am glad that the USDA is continuing to provide necessary resources to address CLR, and I’ll continue working to support farmers across our state.”

CLR is considered the most devastating coffee disease in the world. The fungus was first discovered in Hawaii in 2020 and threatens one of the state’s most valuable specialty resources. According to the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, the raw crop value of Hawaiian coffee is $62 million and generates approximately $500 million in economic activity each year. Hawaiian coffee is produced commercially on six islands and has a cultural heritage dating back over 150 years.

Hirono introduced the Coffee Plant Health Initiative Amendments Act last year. It would expand research funding to address all current and emerging threats to coffee plant health, including CLR. Hawaii was also awarded $6 million by NIFA to address CLR.