The Division of Agriculture\u2019s annual budget of only $8,000 for its operations has been hurting services to farmers and ranchers.<\/p>\n
Agriculture director Richard B. Seman said yesterday the division has temporarily stopped lending tractors to commercial farmers because none of the three tractors is working. <\/p>\n
There\u2019s no money to buy the parts and even if they are fixed, they may not be used because of lack of funds to buy fuel to run them.<\/p>\n
One of the tractors is over 30 years old, while the other two are over 25 years old.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve been breaking down more frequently. There\u2019s more stuff for us to buy if the parts are broken. \u2026It\u2019s come to a point where we need to replace them,\u201d Seman told Saipan Tribune.<\/p>\n
One tractor costs $55,000 to $70,000, which is much higher than the division\u2019s annual operational budget of $8,000.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith this $8,000, we buy fuel, lubricant, office and operational supplies, and we need to run four offices\u2014animal industry, plant industry, plant and animal quarantine, and soil and water conservation,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Farmers used to borrow Agriculture\u2019s tractor and other equipment for $20 an hour. This service was stopped last year due to broken parts and high fuel cost.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need at least $100,000 for all our programs. The fortunate thing is, the division doesn\u2019t pay for utilities because the Department [of Lands and Natural Resources] pays for it,\u201d he said, adding that personnel budget has also been tight.<\/p>\n
The division provides services to farmers to enhance the production and cultivation of locally produced crops. It provides farm equipment, farm plots and propagation crops to farmers for a nominal fee. In partnership with Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research Extension and Education Service, it helps farmers in producing quality crops.<\/p>\n
Agriculture, which has 40 employees, also conducts surveys and assessments of farm lots, provides assistance in times of national disasters, particularly in assessing damage to crops and livestock, provides veterinary services, and monitors level of ranching.<\/p>\n
Other Agriculture programs including Forestry rely on federal funds, which eases the operational budget shortfall. Through federal grants, the division has been able to buy supplies like computers.<\/p>\n
Seman said the Parole Office and the Office of Probation help them cope with funding shortage by having inmates or those under probation required to do community service work at Agriculture.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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