By conducting the economic and labor development forum last year, Interior was able to identify areas of priority for its technical assistance grants.
Federal funding will be committed to tourism which is the CNMI’s main industry; the labor market on which the private sector relies; renewable energy, which can reduce the islands’ dependence on fossil fuel; and agriculture, which produces food and creates jobs.
During a meeting with Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs field representative Jeff Schorr and Commerce Secretary Sixto Igisomar on Thursday last week, farmers were dismayed to hear that only $100,000 or even less will be committed to help enhance local agriculture.
Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council Chairman Ray Blas Camacho, who is also a local farmer, said OIA called for the meeting to hear from farmers.
Camacho said the he and other local farmers, Crispin Guerrero, JM Guerrero and Isidoro T. Cabrera, said they need water, equipment and a cooperative.
The creation of a cooperative, Camacho said, will require at least a $500,000 start-up fund. The equipment to boost local produce may cost $150,000.
He could not tell exactly how much irrigation will cost, but he noted that the $10,000 in Saipan poker money that was supposed to fund the Soil and Water Conservation District has been taken away.
Camacho said he and other local farmers are very thankful for Interior’s financial assistance, but he added that the local grant manager — Igisomar — seem to consider agriculture as the least of his priorities.
