Earlier this month, Hawai'i farmers testified before state lawmakers, warning that Hawai'i's agriculture industry is struggling, with farmers going out of business in the face of high operating costs, drought and lack of government support.

The amount of land actively farmed is declining; little by little, more land is rezoned for urban development. The cost of fuel, fertilizer, transportation and feed has risen sharply, making homegrown products even less competitive in the grocery stores. In fact, about 85 percent of the food we consume comes from elsewhere. There's no doubt that to improve Hawai'i's food security, we need to grow and consume more local products.

But in the short term, the economic crisis means little taxpayer money will be available to provide immediate relief. But longer-term investment needs to continue, especially in the area of important agricultural lands.

The state's Constitution requires important agricultural lands, or IAL, to be identified and designated as part of a broad policy to protect and promote diversified agriculture. Unfortunately, it's a promise that remains unfulfilled in the 30 years since the Constitution was amended to include the IAL provision.

That needs to change.

Act 233, which took effect July 1, triggered the process to identify, map and designate the important ag lands throughout the Islands.

There are 1.9 million acres of land zoned for agriculture in Hawai'i; not all of it is economically feasible for farming.

Figuring out which tracts of land will best support the kind of agriculture that's best for Hawai'i, and protecting those lands, will help put the industry on a stable footing.

The certification of important agricultural lands will also open the door to another feature of Act 233 — incentives tied to the IAL designation that farmers have been clamoring for.

They include tax credits for farm development costs, an updated state Water Use Plan and support in developing processing facilities for value-added products. These and other incentives — offered as economic conditions permit — could go far in improving the plight of Hawai'i agriculture sector.

The state Land Use Commission is proceeding to promulgate rules so individuals committed to farming can apply for IAL designation. The burden lies with the state's four counties to work with state agencies, farmers and private landowners to support the broader IAL process.

After 30 years, the need remains.