Once CNMI umbrella permits expire on Nov. 27, nonresidents must have employers who will apply for a CW visa for guest workers.
Camacho said there are nonresident farmers with no legitimate employers and they are selling their produce to hotels.
He said these illegal farmers are hurting the legitimate farmers on island.
Illegal nonresident farmers are leasing farm lands through “ghost employers,” Camacho added.
Once these illegal farmers are removed from the CNMI by federal authorities, legitimate farmers can start producing enough for the local market, he said.
“The supply will decrease in the very beginning but I am confident we can catch up with the demand,” he added.
The CW visa rule is not posing any problem to legitimate farmers, he said.
Camacho said local farmers are upbeat over the plan of businessman Tony Pellegrino to set up Cargo Air Bridge which will transport local produce to Guam.
He said local farmers are also trying to meet the needs of hotels, restaurants and catering businesses.
Copies of the CNMI Crop Producer Directory have been distributed to different establishments so they will know how to contact commercial farmers on island, he added.
