ORGANIZERS of the 23rd Annual Saipan Agricultural Fair on Saturday said this year’s event drew the biggest crowd in recent years.
The 4-H Pavilion and the surrounding vicinity in Susupe was already crowded way before the official opening at 9 a.m.
Locally bred animals like bulls, cows, boars, sows, goats, rabbits, ducks, turkeys, geese, pigeon kings, guinea fowls, chicken broilers and chicken ornamentals stirred the curiosity of a large number of spectators, including current and former government officials.
“The four months of planning and preparation were worth it,” Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Tom Pangelinan said.
He added, “Thousands of people showed up, and there are more contest participants this year than the previous years.”
The event showcased giant pumpkins, betel nuts, watermelons, bananas, breadfruits, citrus fruits, cucumbers, eggplants and almost all types of locally grown fruits and vegetables.
Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela said the large turnout showed greater participation of farmers, ranchers and the community as a whole.
“We want to make sure that Saipan depends on its local farmers and ranchers for food, instead of importing from other countries. If all these people who showed up would support what we have here, then we may not have to import at all,” said Tudela in a separate interview.
Mac Chargualaf, president of the 12-member Saipan Agricultural Fair Organizing Committee, said there were 27 entries for the animal division competition, unlike last year when there were only 17.
He said this year’s event also had 36 entries for the plant division contests, an increase from last year’s 20 entries.
The number of vendors also went up to 26, compared to 20 last year.
“I think this is due to increased publicity for the event, and the fact that there’s no major typhoon that visited the island and therefore, the farmers and ranchers had more to display,” said Chargualaf.
The judges for the animal division included Bill Moran and Ken Kramer of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Dr. Craig Smith of Northern Marianas College. Cris Sablan and Saulo Baccuilega served as judges for the plant division.
