The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is seeking taro farmers who want to become members of a task force created to help protect Hawaii's state plant.

The panel will include two farmers from Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai and the Big Island. Applications are to be submitted by Sept. 15.

The task force also will include one representative from OHA, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, the state Department of Agriculture, the University of Hawaii, the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, a statewide organization of taro farmers and a yet-to-be-selected botanical garden.

OHA says taro production has dropped because of alien diseases and insects.

The Taro Security and Purity Task Force was created under legislation signed into law in July by Gov. Linda Lingle.