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

Kaua'i, O'ahu, Maui, Moloka'i and the Big Island each are to provide the panel two farmers. Applications are due 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 Hawai'i, the Hawai'i 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 in July by Gov. Linda Lingle.