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Farmers take steps to prevent reliance on imports
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Posted on Feb 11 2009
The newly formed Farmers Support Group has organized the CNMI’s first agricultural summit, driven by the goal to prevent too much reliance on imported food items and to boost the local economy.
The two-day summit started yesterday at the Royal Taga Hall of the Saipan World Resort and the participants will wrap up the activity today with representatives of government agencies to discuss their roles.
The FSG is composed of the Saipan Municipal Council represented by its vice chair, Ray Camacho, NMC-CREES headed by director Ross Manglona, and Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Dr. Ignacio Dela Cruz.
Camacho explained that the main objective of the summit is to expand the agricultural sector not only among the farmers themselves but with the involvement of the business sector, the Chamber of Commerce and the Korean Association, which owns most of the retail businesses.
“We are doing this to create a venue for dialogue to be able for everyone to work together,” Camacho said.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, who delivered the welcome address, assured the government’s full support to the FSG.
Camacho said some members of the Legislature attended the opening and shared their willingness to entertain ideas that can be developed into law.
“After the summit, we will gather everything that we have accomplished during two days and put them into action plans,” Camacho said.
He said that they want to establish a way of preventing the further intrusion of agricultural products into Saipan, which will give the opportunity for local farmers to expand.
Some of the expected outcomes of the summit include agricultural industry plans, review and address of policy and procedural changes, resources for grants, industry improvement plans, personnel training and professional development and technical assistance programs.
Century Insurance president David Sablan gave the opening remarks while NMC Community Development Institute director Dave Attao discussed the purpose and the ground rules for the sessions.
