Task force against rodents formed

The Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research Extension Education and Service and the Department of Lands and Natural Resources have created a task force to combat the rat infestation that is menacing local farmers.

NMC-CREES director Anthony Benavente said the partnership was created in accordance with Saipan Local Law 14-17, which sets aside funds to tackle the rodent problem.

The task force is also composed of consultants and station agents from NMC-CREES, Division of Agriculture and DLNR, said Benavente.

He said the creation of the task force would prove to stakeholders and farmers that the government is committed to solving this perennial problem, which is affecting the earnings of local farmers.

Although the newly formed task force has not yet received funds, Benavente said work has already begun in addressing the rodent problem. He said DLNR is also waiting for funding worth at least $200,000 to fight the infestation.

He said NMC-CREES and DLNR have started working on a research project that focuses on testing different baits and optimum spacing requirements for baiting. The research project will ultimately reduce cost and crop damage to farmers.

Dr. Craig Smith, the lead scientist of the project, said that once they determine the best bait and spacing for the traps, they will be able to make their recommendations to farmers.

“We will also be offering workshops to inform all interested parties about the safe handling of such materials,” he said.

Smith said that when they start the project, they will advise the public to stay away from farms that are marked with warning signs due to hazardous materials that would be used in the project.

Benavente said the joint effort is hoped to increase crop production and decrease rodent damage. At present, a substantial portion of farmers’ earnings are spent on expensive rodenticides to battle the infestation of Norway rats.

He said the rodent problem has been a problem in the CNMI for several years now and that a similar task force was created years ago but it did not survive due to lack of funding.

Benavente said, though, that, unlike the previous task force, DLNR is on top of the situation and is currently following up on the funding from the Department of Finance.

He also said he wants to let the farmers and stakeholders know that they are acting on this problem and that he is asking them for more patience, giving them his word that they would eventually solve or minimize the problem.