Sabalu market draws more vendors

Farmers call it an ongoing “success story.” Marveling at the surprisingly good turn-out of the four-week-old Sabalu market, the Department of Lands and Natural Resources said it continues to draw more and more vendors to what may soon be a weekly community habit.

More than 22 vendors have signed up for last week’s market, a significant improvement from the number of original vendors it started with four weeks ago.

DLNR Spokesperson Marian Concepcion-Teregeyo said from the 12 vendors that signed up during the first week, only four vendors actually showed up.

“Those four were the lucky ones because they earned money. The farmers are really happy about it,” said Ms. Teregeyo.

With the growing demand of booth lots, DLNR may have to create more room at the 4H Club site to accommodate the increasing number of interested vendors.

DLNR Secretary Joaquin Tenorio also expressed market expansion plans to include seafood products.

“People are selling fishes off the road anyway so we are also looking at providing space for them,” said Mr. Tenorio.

In the immediate future, fresh flowers, indigenous ornaments, and locally cooked food may also be included in the items for sale at the weekly market.

“We continue to be open to suggestions from farmers on what they want to sell so that we can find out and provide everyone what they need,” he added.

DLNR is also looking at the possibility of tapping meat producers to be one of the group of vendors at the Sabalu market.

“We have US agriculture certified slaughterhouses and they can be slaughtered and certified by US inspectors and sold to the public,” the secretary said.

Farmers at last Saturday’s market admitted they are gaining considerably from this weekly stint.

They further said that this weekly affair has proved positive in promoting what farmers on Saipan need.

The Sabalu market has been initiated by DLNR to help farmers efficiently market their agricultural produce and eventually expand local production.