The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa will spearhead a significant new federally funded research initiative dedicated to advancing the coffee and cacao industries. This ambitious program, christened the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Coffee and Cacao, has secured an initial commitment of $8 million for its first year, with the potential for a five-year operational lifespan. This substantial investment, channeled through the U.S. Department of State, underscores a renewed federal commitment to critical agricultural sectors that have historically faced underfunding in public research. The initiative will be co-directed by Clemson University, signaling a collaborative approach to tackling complex challenges in these vital global commodities.
The scope of research envisioned for this new lab is expansive, targeting coffee and cacao-producing regions across the United States, including domestic operations in Hawaii, as well as significant agricultural zones in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. It is crucial to note that this "lab" is not a singular physical edifice but rather a dynamic, multi-institutional research network. This collaborative model leverages the expertise and resources of a diverse array of academic institutions, research organizations, and private sector entities. Prominent coffee-focused partners lending their expertise to the endeavor include World Coffee Research (WCR) and the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI). The academic consortium is further bolstered by the participation of leading research universities such as UC Davis, Michigan State University, Ohio State University, and Penn State University. Complementing these academic powerhouses are industry stakeholders like Mars, PlantVillage+, and the Synergistic Hawaiʻi Agriculture Council (SHAC), whose involvement ensures a practical, market-oriented approach to the research outcomes.
This initiative emerges as a direct response to years of concerted advocacy from various coffee industry organizations. These groups have consistently lobbied for increased public investment in coffee agricultural research, highlighting a critical funding gap that has persisted for decades. The establishment of this lab also marks a significant development in the context of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) operational trajectory. The dismantling of USAID under the Trump administration in 2025 led to the abrupt termination of several critical agricultural research programs, including a notable coffee breeding project, creating a void in federal support for these vital sectors. The new Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Coffee and Cacao represents a strategic pivot, with funding now originating from the U.S. Department of State, a move that re-establishes a federal research presence in these crucial areas.
Addressing Critical Challenges in Coffee and Cacao Production
The core research priorities for the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Coffee and Cacao are multifaceted, aiming to address some of the most pressing challenges facing global coffee and cacao farmers. A primary focus will be on the development of new coffee and cacao varieties that exhibit enhanced resistance to prevalent diseases and are more resilient to drought conditions. These climate-resilient crop traits are paramount in an era of escalating climate change, which poses an existential threat to agricultural systems worldwide. Beyond crop improvement, the program will delve into optimizing farm management practices, refining post-harvest processing techniques to improve quality and reduce waste, and crucially, building research capacity within the producing countries themselves. This capacity-building component is vital for fostering sustainable agricultural development and ensuring that local communities can effectively implement and adapt research findings to their specific contexts.
Furthermore, the lab will undertake significant economic research. This research is designed to equip governments and policymakers with data-driven insights to identify the most strategic areas for agricultural research investments. By understanding the potential return on investment for various research avenues, governments can allocate resources more effectively, maximizing the impact on food security, economic development, and farmer livelihoods. This analytical approach aims to ensure that research endeavors are not only scientifically rigorous but also economically impactful, leading to tangible benefits for the agricultural sector and the communities it supports.
Parwinder Grewal, Dean of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and the principal investigator for the program, articulated the overarching vision in a recent announcement. "The Innovation Lab is designed to transform coffee and cacao science into practical benefits for small farmers in Hawaii, the continental U.S., and around the world," Grewal stated. This sentiment highlights the dual domestic and international focus of the initiative, recognizing the interconnectedness of global agricultural challenges and solutions.
A History of Advocacy for Coffee Research
The establishment of the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Coffee and Cacao is the culmination of sustained efforts by various stakeholders within the coffee industry. Representatives from the Synergistic Hawaiʻi Agriculture Council (SHAC), including administrator Suzanne Shriner, and World Coffee Research initiated discussions with members of Congress as early as 2020. Their objective was to advocate for dedicated federal funding for coffee and cacao research, emphasizing the economic and social importance of these crops.
This advocacy gained further momentum in 2023 when SHAC, WCR, the National Coffee Association (NCA), and the Hawaii Coffee Association collaborated to support federal legislation aimed at expanding funding for coffee plant-health research. This legislative push was particularly salient in Hawaii, a state grappling with the persistent threat of pests like the coffee berry borer and the widespread impact of coffee leaf rust. The latter, first detected in Hawaii in 2020, has since spread across all major islands, significantly impacting coffee production.
Despite this new federal investment, the financial landscape for coffee research remains a considerable challenge. A comprehensive 2023 report by World Coffee Research estimated that an additional $452 million in annual agricultural research and development funding would be required for a decade to ensure the global coffee sector can maintain production diversity and quality. This figure underscores the persistent funding deficit and the scale of the challenges that lie ahead. The ongoing impacts of climate change and the economic pressures faced by coffee farmers continue to be formidable obstacles to the long-term health and sustainability of the global coffee industry.
Navigating the Post-USAID Landscape
The launch of the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Coffee and Cacao also signals a new era for the Feed the Future university research system, particularly in the wake of the unexpected dismantling of USAID in 2025. Historically, Feed the Future Innovation Labs, which are instrumental in supporting international agricultural research and advancing food security, received their funding through USAID. The abrupt cessation of USAID’s operations created significant uncertainty and disruption for many ongoing research projects.
Evidence of this disruption can be seen in the fate of a cooperative agreement awarded to Cornell University by USAID in late 2024, valued at $5.485 million for its Coffee Improvement Program with WCR. Federal award records indicate that $1 million had been obligated before the award was officially terminated in 2025, highlighting the immediate impact of USAID’s dissolution on critical research initiatives.
The current funding for the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Coffee and Cacao, provided through the U.S. Department of State, represents a strategic redirection of federal resources. On October 15, 2026, the State Department announced eight Feed the Future Innovation Labs housed at various U.S. universities. These labs will address a range of critical agricultural subjects, including cereals, soil fertility, animal health, peanuts, and aquaculture, in addition to the newly established coffee and cacao program. This diversified approach reflects a broader commitment to strengthening agricultural research across multiple sectors.
Hawaii’s Emerging Role as a Coffee Research Hub
The selection of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa to lead this significant initiative positions Hawaii as a pivotal hub for coffee and cacao research. The state holds a unique distinction as the only U.S. state commercially producing both coffee and cacao, creating a natural synergy between research endeavors and practical application. This geographical advantage allows for direct engagement with the challenges and opportunities present in domestic production.
The ongoing battle against coffee leaf rust in Hawaii further underscores the urgency and relevance of this research. Since its initial detection in 2020, the rust has become a pervasive threat, contributing to a notable decline in the state’s coffee output. In 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) allocated over $6 million to SHAC for a coordinated leaf-rust research program, involving both university researchers and federal scientists in Hawaii and Puerto Rico. This previous investment demonstrates a recognition of the critical need for research to combat agricultural threats in the region.
According to SHAC’s estimates, Hawaii’s coffee production for the 2025-26 season is projected at 20.7 million pounds, a decrease from the 23.3 million pounds harvested in 2023-24. The organization attributes much of this year-over-year decline to the persistent impact of coffee leaf rust. The establishment of the new Coffee and Cacao Innovation Lab, launching this month, offers renewed hope for developing sustainable solutions to these persistent challenges, potentially reversing the downward trend in production. While specific research sites in producing countries and individual project details are yet to be announced, the foundational framework for impactful research has now been established.
