Isidoro T. Cabrera said there were participants in the past who turned in produce they did not grow themselves.
Only produce grown on Saipan may be entered in the competition, he added.
Cabrera said a participant does not have to be a farmer as long as he grew his entries to the competition.
“Just be fair and honest if you want to join the fair,” Cabrera said.
The Saipan Agriculture Fair started in 1978 and it aims to help local farmers enhance their crops and livestock.
Ideally, Cabrera said a pre-inspection is done to make sure that the participants are growing the entries they have registered for the contest.
This has not been done for years due to lack of manpower.
But Cabrera said the committee has been very diligent in inspecting entries during registration.
The committee members can tell if the crops were grown on Saipan or bought from a store, he added.
He said over the years, they have caught and disqualified participants who attempted to turn in imported fruits and vegetables.
Saipan Municipal Council vice chairman Ray Blas Camacho said the Legislature appropriated $20,000 for the event, and it will be unfair to legitimate farmers if cheaters win prizes.
Cabrera said the contest categories are for the most saleable farm products.
