Department of Agriculture

For Immediate Release:  March 10, 2006 NR06-04

UPDATE:  A supplemental proclamation by Governor Lingle extended disaster loan assistance to farmers on all islands.

 

FARMER LOAN ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE AT DISASTER CENTER

HONOLULU – Farmers suffering damage from recent heavy rains may be eligible for low-interest loans from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) Agricultural Loan Division.  Agricultural loan officers will be available at the state’s Disaster Assistance and Recovery Center (DARC), which will open this weekend to provide information on agricultural loan programs.

The DARC will be opened in Windward O`ahu to help people whose homes, businesses, farms, or other property were damaged by recent heavy rains and flooding:

Saturday, Sunday, and Monday – March 11, 12 and 13, 2006

10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Kualoa Ranch, 49-560 Kamehameha Hwy., Ka`a`awa 

There are several types of loans that farmers may be eligible, including emergency loans which were activated by the disaster declaration by Governor Linda Lingle.  The interest rate for emergency loans will be set by the Hawaii Board of Agriculture but are likely to be about three percent.  Under the emergency loan program, farmers needing loans of $25,000 or less may apply for micro-loans which involve less paperwork and swifter processing.

For more information on agricultural loans, call the Agricultural Loan Division at 973-9460 or go the division’s webpage:  /hdoa/agl/agl

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For more information, contact:

Janelle Saneishi
Public Information Officer
Hawaii Department of Agriculture
Phone: (808) 973-9560
E-mail: [email protected]