The investor will initially raise 20,000 pigs and feed them with the crops from the plantation, the governor said.
This is why Tinian should have a slaughterhouse, he added.
The piggery investment is in anticipation of the upcoming military build-up on Guam, and the use of Tinian for military exercises.
On Saipan, Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Ignacio dela Cruz said the slaughterhouse has been leased, but the CNMI government is now in the process of reacquiring it in the next three months.
Dela Cruz said they are trying to secure federal fund for the repair and replacement of the slaughterhouse’s equipment.
“We want the facility to meet the standard specifications,” he added.
Saipan Municipal Council vice chairman Ramon B. Camacho said the slaughterhouse will address the need for locally produced fresh meat.
“There are many who want fresh meat at Sabalu Market,” he added.
But Camacho said farmers cannot just butcher livestock and sale their produce without the approval of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Fitial said the government is working “very hard to help, not only the farmer’s group, but also the fishermen,” market their produce.
He encouraged them to create a cooperative that will help market their products, saying “there are big businesses coming in to reap our resources from the ocean.” He did not elaborate.
