One of the objectives of the department of agriculture shall be to promote the agricultural development of the State by stimulating, facilitating, and granting loans to qualified farmers and food manufacturers.
The department shall encourage the growth, development, and well-being of agriculture in the State by:
The department shall also establish standards and criteria pursuant to which loans may be provided to qualified farmers and food manufacturers who cannot secure credit from other sources at reasonable rates and terms. Any assessment of the program shall consider its purpose and intent that involves credit risk beyond that of banks and other private lenders, and the assessment shall be based on standards of similar programs.
HRS § 155-2