“Propagation! Send in the Clones” is the title of the 32nd Hawaii International Tropical Fruit Conference Nov. 4-6 at the Royal Kona Resort. The 2022 conference returns to its annual in-person format with a full lineup of educational offerings, tours and a trade show.
Geared to farmers, educators, orchard managers and proponents of sustainable agriculture, the conference is presented by the statewide Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers, or HTFG, and open to the public.
“This year’s conference offers a lineup of visiting researchers and agro experts, plus breakout sessions on a variety of fruit-related topics,” Ken Love, HTFG executive director, said in a press release. “As our last two conferences were virtual, we look forward to networking, learning and having some fun.”
Research updates will be provided by Marisa Wall, director of the Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, and state Sen. Mike Gabbard, committee chair on agriculture and environment, will offer a legislative update.
The featured presenter is John Preece, supervisory research leader at the USDA Agricultural Research Service National Clonal Germplasm Repository, who will share his expertise about propagation techniques for tropical fruit trees.
Banana industry guru Gabe Sachter-Smith will discuss propagation techniques for enhanced banana production.
Other conference topics cover shipping malama and finger limes to the U.S. mainland, controlling avocado lace bugs and fruit flies, passion fruit, understanding the USDA permitting system, increased fruit production via the Mango Loa Project and fertigation — the process of directly applying fertilizer through an irrigation system.
Interactive activities include a fruit tasting, fruit-themed dinner with chef George Gomes, regional executive chef at Hawaiian Hotels and Resorts, and guided visits at the South Kona Green Market and new HTFG Containment Greenhouse and Nursery, with demonstrations by Preece, Love and Brian Lievens.
The conference is made possible with the support of the state Department of Agriculture, Hawaii County and HTFG members from across the state.
Registration forms and fee schedule are available at www.HTFG.org or by contacting Love at kenlove@hawaiiantel.net or Mark Suiso at mark.suiso@gmail.com.