Kilili seeks more funding for CREES, Kagman watershed, Garapan market

[B]WASHINGTON, D.C.[/B]—The House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee opened its hearing room yesterday to members of Congress with priority projects in need of funding and CNMI Rep. Gregorio “Kilili” C. Sablan and Guam Rep. Madeleine Z. Bordallo were the very first to sit down at the witness table and make their pitch for agriculture projects in the Marianas.

Together the two explained to subcommittee chair Rosa de Lauro (D-CT) the importance of the land grant colleges in the insular areas to promote agriculture. Speaking on behalf of American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico as well as Guam and the Northern Marianas, they asked for funding for new facilities and equipment and also for the replacement of existing laboratories and other infrastructure that is in disrepair or outdated.

“Materials can corrode more quickly and easily under harsh conditions” on the islands, they explained to the subcommittee.

For the Northern Marianas’ land grant college NMC and its Cooperative Research Extension and Education Service program, Sablan identified the need to upgrade aquaculture research and demonstration facilities. He also asked for funding for a community kitchen where farmers could add value to their crops by processing and packaging them for market. The projects would cost $850,000.

In addition, the Northern Marianas congressman asked for funds to help with irrigation for growers on the Kagman Peninsula and to build a public market in Garapan, where farmers and fishermen and other local entrepreneurs could sell their products to locals and tourists.

“Since 1993—almost 16 years—the Natural Resources Conservation Services has been working on the Kagman Watershed Project,” Sablan told the subcommittee.

Last week Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack chose Kagman as one of just 53 projects nationwide for funding at his discretion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Vilsack awarded $4.15 million.

But Kilili wants an additional $2.3 million.

“This project has dragged on for years, moving by fits and starts as funds are available. It’s time to finish what the federal government began in 1993. The money I am requesting will allow the project to move forward with construction of the 70 million gallon reservoir, a sediment basin, pumps, and transfer pipelines—finally getting water to the farmers who need it.”

Sablan also went to bat for the Garapan public market, a project he said is “shovel ready” and long overdue. He asked the subcommittee for $2.25 million.

“We have many fishermen and farmers who need a permanent facility with running water and electricity, where they can clean, package, display, and sell fresh, local foods to the public.”

Sablan’s proposals touched on every facet of developing an agricultural economy from research in crops and processing, to the irrigation of fields, to bringing the products to market.

Chairman de Lauro seemed particularly interested in what the newest member of Congress had to say about his district. “I don’t know much about your islands,” she told Sablan.

He explained the traditional role of farming in Marianas culture and the importance of agriculture in the modern economy of the islands, as well. “There is subsistence farming and a growing export market, especially with respect to specialty crops.”

Sablan thanked de Lauro for hosting the Members’ Day – a first for the subcommittee. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]