Torres seeks aid on drafting CNMI farm policy
Rep. William S. Torres has requested the assistance of U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary August Schumacher with regard to his plans to develop a comprehensive farm policy for the Northern Marianas.
In a letter addressed to the USDA official, the representative expressed concerns on risk exposures of farmers, ranchers, and fishermen who are dependent on nurturing a livelihood in the agriculture and fishing industry.
Mr. Torres said he would gladly welcome any form of assistance from Mr. Schumacher’s office, may it be technical, financial, informational, or programmatic.
“So that the Commonwealth could develop a sustainable agricultural industry. One that could provide the domestic market with its internal demands and another that would enable the CNMI to engage with markets outside its borders,” he appealed to the federal official.
Mr. Torres is raising the farm policy issue anew after scrutinizing a Northern Marianas College-commissioned economic study on the need to diversify the economic portfolio in the CNMI.
The lawmaker also cited that early this year, a U.S. Congressional Report by the General Accounting Office likewise called on the CNMI to fully develop other potential viable industries such as agri-business, among others.
Yearly statistics on imported goods to the CNMI from foreign countries are reportedly alarming in number, the legislator added.
Calling himself a “champion” of the plight of farmers and ranchers, Mr. Torres now intends to expedite the drafting of the complete farm policy.
He, however added, he needs the entire the support of USDA to achieve this goal.
Meanwhile, he also invited the Mr. Shumacher to visit the islands in order that he would witness first-hand CNMI’s strong need to develop more agriculture-related businesses.
Mr. Torres has also asked Risk Management Agency Director William Murphy to pay CNMI a visit and discuss with national crop insurance program and possibilities of implementing the scheme locally.
“We need this type of crop protection in the CNMI,” said Mr. Torres.
Mr. Murphy reportedly accepted the congressman’s request and may arrive on Saipan before the end of the year. (MM)
