Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity

Oct. 30, 2025
NR25-30

HONOLULU – Hawai‘i agriculture operations are rapidly adopting farm technology according to a report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agriculture Statistics Service (USDA-NASS). The recently released “2025 Hawai‘i Farm Technology Use Report,” indicates significant increases in the use of tablets, video surveillance cameras, GPS livestock tracking devices, field sensors, drones and unmanned aircraft systems by Hawai‘i agricultural operations.

Hawai‘i Farm Technology Use Reports 2019 – 2025
	2019	2025	% Change
Tablet (iPad, Android)	1,210	2,332	93%
Drones, unmanned aircraft systems	182	383	110%
GPS livestock tracking devices	69	4,591	6,554%
Handheld sensors	364	548	51%
Field sensors	251	899	258%
GPS – guided equipment	148	133	-10%
Smart phone apps	1,263	1,333	6%
Budgeting software on farm operation management	1,945	1,234	-37%
Third party svcs. appl.	322	357	11%

“These statistics indicate impressive gains within six years and demonstrate agricultural producers’ resilience and innovation,” said Sharon Hurd, chairperson of the Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. “It is encouraging that farmers and ranchers are using technology in an increasingly difficult agricultural environment.”

The USDA-NASS reports may be viewed at:

“2025 Hawai‘i Farm Technology Use Report”

“2019 Hawai‘i Farm Technology Use Report”

The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB) Market News and Analysis Branch has also analyzed the data, including data that shows increased interest in operations that want to increase their use of technology and the potential for technology to boost economic development. The analysis may be viewed at: https://dab.hawaii.gov/add/files/2025/10/Farm-Tech-Econ-Development_SOH_10.15.2025.pdf

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