30 Tinian farmers, ranchers may be displaced by the US military
By Moneth Deposa
Reporter
The Saipan Tribune
April 3, 2009
A significant number of farmers, ranchers, and hog raisers on Tinian are expected to be displaced if the U.S. military decides to fully utilize the property it leased on the island.
According to the Tinian Legislative Delegation, up to 30 ranchers and farmers -- about 80 percent of the island's agriculture sector -- would be affected and the municipality needs to find a site soon for their relocation.
Delegation chair Sen. Joseph Mendiola said final plans detailing what specific part of Tinian will be used for military exercises and training will be presented to the island's leaders in July.
The U.S. military holds the lease to about two-thirds of available land on Tinian.
“We don't know yet the final plans for Tinian. Up to this time, we're still waiting word from the military, which is also coordinating with the municipality and the governor. [There is] no final word yet if all two-thirds of Tinian would be used for their training sites,” he said.
Without the military's confirmation, the delegation cannot plan for the future of its farmers and ranchers, Mendiola said.
Although the Tinian community is counting on the positive economic impact of the buildup, they are also concerned about possible displacement.
“A lot of farmers and ranchers would be displaced if they [U.S. military] decide to use the entire two-thirds of Tinian,” Mendiola said
The senator said some public lands on Tinian may be identified as new sites for the farmers and ranchers.
If it were up to him, Mendiola said, he prefers that the military use the North Field as an exclusive military training ground.
He added that the island's airport is close to the U.S. military's leased property and problems may arise if the area is used for live-fire training and other military exercises.
The transfer of some 8,000 Marines from Okinawa, Japan to Guam starting in 2012 is projected to benefit the CNMI, particularly Tinian.
However, Mendiola said, even the approximate number of U.S. Marines who will be assigned to Tinian is not known yet.
“Even that number is not available to us.we're still on a 'waiting game,'” he said, adding that whatever recommendation the CNMI leadership may have for the military would be supported by the delegation.
http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=89101
Showing posts with label Guagualo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Guagualo. Show all posts
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Monday, July 14, 2008
Farmers Face Difficulties
Farmers face difficulties:
Farmers co-op would help agricultural leaseholders
By Steve Limtiaco
Pacific Daily News
July 15, 2008
Dededo farmer Ernie Wusstig, who leases 20 acres of agricultural land from the Chamorro Land Trust, said there are many farmers who use their Land Trust property.
"But a lot of them aren't using it either," he said. "They're planting (junk) cars."
Wusstig, who is using his leased property to grow sweet corn -- which he sells along the roadside in Barrigada -- doesn't fault those who aren't using the land.
It's more expensive than ever to farm on Guam, he said, because of increases in the price of water and fertilizer. The water agency increased the price per gallon for agricultural accounts, and fertilizer that used to cost $600 a ton now costs $1,200.
And there also isn't a consistent market for local produce, he said -- one of the reasons he sells produce on his own instead of to local grocery stores. Grocery stores sometimes buy local only until their off-island shipments arrive, he said.
But ongoing efforts to form a farmers cooperative could change all that, he said, and make it easier and profitable for those with agricultural leases from the Land Trust to begin using their land.
Of the 3,666 leases issued by the Land Trust, 955 are one acre or larger, which means they are considered agricultural leases.
The Land Trust requires agricultural leaseholders to use their land -- at least two-thirds must be cultivated at all times -- or risk losing it, but that requirement hasn't been enforced since the Land Trust lease program was implemented nearly 13 years ago.
Land is leased for 99 years to Chamorros -- defined by law as those who are citizens because of the Organic Act, or their descendants.
"With the military coming in, we're going to be using more produce. I believe our farmers can supply that. We've got to plan it out good and make it work," said Wusstig, who is vice president of the new cooperative's board of directors.
The involvement of Land Trust leaseholders is critical to the success of the new farmers cooperative because the Land Trust administers 90 percent of the island's agricultural land, particularly the larger parcels, said Bob Barber, agricultural economist for the University of Guam's Cooperative Extension Service.
Wusstig said the Cooperative Extension Service currently is working on grants for a feasibility study and is entering into an agreement with the Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association to begin supplying local produce to its member businesses.
Farmers co-op would help agricultural leaseholders
By Steve Limtiaco
Pacific Daily News
July 15, 2008
Dededo farmer Ernie Wusstig, who leases 20 acres of agricultural land from the Chamorro Land Trust, said there are many farmers who use their Land Trust property.
"But a lot of them aren't using it either," he said. "They're planting (junk) cars."
Wusstig, who is using his leased property to grow sweet corn -- which he sells along the roadside in Barrigada -- doesn't fault those who aren't using the land.
It's more expensive than ever to farm on Guam, he said, because of increases in the price of water and fertilizer. The water agency increased the price per gallon for agricultural accounts, and fertilizer that used to cost $600 a ton now costs $1,200.
And there also isn't a consistent market for local produce, he said -- one of the reasons he sells produce on his own instead of to local grocery stores. Grocery stores sometimes buy local only until their off-island shipments arrive, he said.
But ongoing efforts to form a farmers cooperative could change all that, he said, and make it easier and profitable for those with agricultural leases from the Land Trust to begin using their land.
Of the 3,666 leases issued by the Land Trust, 955 are one acre or larger, which means they are considered agricultural leases.
The Land Trust requires agricultural leaseholders to use their land -- at least two-thirds must be cultivated at all times -- or risk losing it, but that requirement hasn't been enforced since the Land Trust lease program was implemented nearly 13 years ago.
Land is leased for 99 years to Chamorros -- defined by law as those who are citizens because of the Organic Act, or their descendants.
"With the military coming in, we're going to be using more produce. I believe our farmers can supply that. We've got to plan it out good and make it work," said Wusstig, who is vice president of the new cooperative's board of directors.
The involvement of Land Trust leaseholders is critical to the success of the new farmers cooperative because the Land Trust administers 90 percent of the island's agricultural land, particularly the larger parcels, said Bob Barber, agricultural economist for the University of Guam's Cooperative Extension Service.
Wusstig said the Cooperative Extension Service currently is working on grants for a feasibility study and is entering into an agreement with the Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association to begin supplying local produce to its member businesses.
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