The problem is, the Division of Agriculture’s farm equipment is not working and the plan to tap privately owned tractors remains just that — a plan.
“This is the time of the year that the farmers should have been preparing to plant tomatoes and watermelons because these are the kinds of crops that do not need too much rain,” according to Ben Borja, the division’s agriculturist III.
He said Kagman farmers need equipment to till their plots.
Of the over 30 farmers who lease an average of two to four acres of plot in Kagman, only three own a tractor. The rest have to either rent or use handheld equipment.
Borja said since most of the local farmers in Kagman still rely on equipment for their farm plots, he finds it a good idea to hire private firms.
He said there are a number of vendors on Saipan that offer reliable equipment that can serve the farmers consistently for a long term period.
Farmers used to pay $20 to use the government’s equipment.
Vendors offer up to $40 per hour for their more reliable equipment.
Borja said the only way that private vendors can help farmers is for the government to terminate its own equipment services.
He said he has already brought up the matter with the administration but the Agriculture Division is still waiting for a response.
