According to the company’s operation manager, Joe Borja, the slaughterhouse will be the only one of its kind in the CNMI.
“This will be the only slaughterhouse in the commonwealth. Construction will begin in a few weeks and will take about 4 to 5 months, so it will be finished before 2012,” he said.
Borja said the cost of the construction and equipment will be about $300,000.
Variety learned that the slaughterhouse will be built using recycled shipping containers.
Isidoro T. Cabrera, a local farmer and agricultural consultant, said a slaughterhouse “is needed in the CNMI.”
He told Variety that there was a slaughterhouse dating back to the Trust Territory period, but it closed down in the late 1990s.
This new slaughterhouse, he said, will get the approval of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“The [Marianas Meat Harvesting Company] is serious about the development of agricultural and the production of beef, pork, and other meats,” Cabrera said.
He noted that the company will help the local agriculture economy and allow farmers to export fruits and vegetables to places like Guam.
“This company can help the CNMI reduce imports of frozen meats and fruits and vegetables from other countries like the U.S., Australia and New Zealand. People want it fresh. Plus, the government can generate revenue with more local produce and meat to sell. The money stays within the commonwealth,” he added.
Cabrera has invested $50 in the new company and encourages others to do the same.
“I encourage farmers and ranchers to be a part of this by investing in this company and buying shares. Anyone in the community can buy a share in the company,” he said.
For more information on the Marianas Meat Harvesting Company, call Joe Borja at 287-3007.
