Vegetable Production

Agriculture on O‘ahu was once dominated by commercial sugar and pineapple industries. The availability of former sugar and pineapple cropland has prompted new producers to enter Hawai‘i's agriculture industry. Primarily, small family owned farms now dominate the industry. New producers grow a variety of crops year round, many with ethnic connections and niche markets/marketing.

According to the Hawai‘i Agricultural Statistics, it is estimated that a total of 3,500 acres of cropland are under vegetable and melon production on O‘ahu in 2006. There are approximately, 215 vegetable and melon farms (35% of the state's total) farming on 3.500 acres of land generating $41,812,000 (57% of the state's total). The value of vegetables and melon production statewide ranks third ($73,038,000) behind Flowers & Nursery Products (first at $100,689,000) and seed crops (second at $97,580,000).

A change in O‘ahu's agriculture industry (acreage, commodities, producers, consumers and marketing options, etc.) has prompted a continuing need for extension educational programs in vegetable production.