Study: Technology on Hawaiʻi Farms in High Demand

Farm technology, including drones and accounting software, are in high demand among Hawaiʻi farmers.

Thatʻs according to the USDA Agricultural Statistics Service, which conducted a study this past fall to determine the types of technology Hawaiʻi farmers currently use as well as the specific items they wish to have in the future.

This was the first time NASS conducted this kind of project, surveying 1,750 farms across all counties.

Below is a list of highlights from the study:

• 1,516 pieces of video surveillance technology are used on farms in Hawaiʻi and farmers want more. Farmers reported 3,383 pieces of video surveillance technology are wanted.
• Drones are in demand on Hawaiʻi farms, with 872 wanted for future use to add to the 182 currently used.
• Hawaiʻi farms are short the 2,778 of GPS/RFID livestock tracker tech in demand. Farmers reported they are using 69 livestock tracker tech across all farms in the state.
• Smartphone apps are used by farms across all categories, with 1,263 in use today and 1,208 wanted.