Hawaii Crop Improvement Association (HCIA)
HCIA is a Hawaii-based non-profit organization that promotes modern agriculture to help farmers and communities succeed. Through education, collaboration and advocacy, we work to ensure a safe and sustainable food supply, support responsible farming practices and build a healthy economy.
Company details
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- Business Type:
- Nonprofit organization (NPO)
- Industry Type:
- Agriculture - Crop Cultivation
- Market Focus:
- Nationally (across the country)
About us
OUR VISION
Growing the future of worldwide agriculture in Hawaii.
Our History
Maize in Hawaii goes back to the missionary era. It was limited to highland cultivation in the 19th century because of tropical lowland diseases. Then plant breeding techniques mastered in the 20th century provided genetic resistance to the disease.
The predecessor of today’s seed industry began as winter nurseries on Molokai in the 1960s. In 1971, Dr. James Brewbaker founded the Hawaii Crop Improvement Association (HCIA) on Molokai as an offshoot of the Corn Research Program at the University of Hawaii College of Agriculture. Today, HCIA is a nonprofit trade association representing the agricultural seed industry in Hawaii.