HAFA Adai yan Tirow Honorable Governor Apatang!
I hope this letter finds you well.
As our community continues to face economic challenges, it has become more apparent that the revival of our tourism sector will take time. Our people are feeling the impact of rising costs for imported goods, especially food, and there is an urgent need to strengthen our local economy and food security. Agritourism presents an opportunity to harness our agricultural and aquacultural resources, creating new avenues for income while reducing our dependency on imports.
I would like to emphasize the proposed incentives to support this initiative:
1) Nominal Land Use Fee. Implementing a fee of $1 per acre per year would encourage local fanners to invest in and expand their operations, making farming more accessible and sustainable.
2) Sustainable Farming Practices. Requiring adherence to sustainable practices, such as crop rotation, will ensure the long-term viability of agricultural endeavors, preserving our lands for future generations.
3) Support for a Central Public Farmers Market. Establishing a central market for local farmers to sell their products will not only boost economic activity but also ensure residents have access to affordable, fresh, locally sourced produce.
4) Safeguarding Allocated Lands. Ensuring that public lands granted to farmers are not subleased will protect the integrity of these initiatives and guarantee that these lands are used for their intended purposes.
The increasing costs of imported food have placed a heavy burden on our families, making it more essential than ever to prioritize affordable, locally produced options. By acting now to promote agritourism, we have a chance to build a self-sustaining local food system that can uplift our economy and provide much-needed security for our community.
I respectfully urge your immediate attention and support in championing these initiatives. Your leadership is crucial to advancing agritourism and encouraging sustainable practices that will benefit all of our people. I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss these ideas further and explore how we can work together to bring this vision to fruition.
Thank you for your consideration and I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
RAMON “RB” CAMACHO
Mayor of Saipan
