A rainbow of hope for the CNMI

Many of our fellow citizens are fleeing the islands seeking their fortunes in the United States or somewhere else. However, some of us see a rainbow of hope that will and must become a reality right here under our feet. What is that treasure?

It is our soil that currently lies fallow, growing only weeds and tangan-tangan bushes. We fail to see the treasure that this fallow land holds for us should we cultivate it. We have the ability to become a formidable food basket for our region of the world.

When we realize that agriculture is an industry coupled with technology, we begin to realize that it can be a major force in jumpstarting our economy. As we begin to develop our latent agriculture industry, not only will we produce tons of good quality fruits and vegetables, but also put many of our people to work. And the results of their labor will put dollars into circulation in our economy.

In July 11’s Time magazine, an interesting article appeared about farming and farmers. Its title is “Want to Make More Money than A Banker—Become a Farmer!” Here are a few comments expressed in that article.

Jim Rogers, an investment whiz, bestselling author of Wall Street, and a towering personality, has this advice: Food prices have become high recently and as a result farming income will continue to rise dramatically in the next few decades faster than those in most other industries.

“The world has got a serious food problem,” says Rogers. “The only real way to solve it is to draw more people back to agriculture.” In addition, farmland is quickly emerging as one of the year’s hottest investment on Wall Street. Farmland land is steadily becoming more and more valuable.

Meanwhile a number of innovations have made U.S. farmers significantly more productive than they were just two decades ago. Bioengineered seeds mean they can use smaller amounts of pesticides and water. And with GPS-aided, computer-monitored planting, some farmers are able to squeeze two rows in a space not much larger that what used to fit only one. For example, an average acre produced 91 bushels of corn in 1980; it now produces 152 bushels.

Today agriculture is an industry and must be taken seriously. Over the past years, it has fallen out of favor in the CNMI. Most of the present-day farmers farm as a hobby or have leased out their farms to others. But these people are not to blame. There are few reasons to take farming seriously when farmers have few places to sell their products. But all of this is about to change.

Only an hour and half from Saipan, Tinian and Rota less than that away, Guam is a huge market waiting for the CNMI’s vegetables and fruits. Note that Guam currently imports $ 4,423, 740 of produce, fruits, pork, cut flowers and other fresh foods monthly. This amounts to $53,084,740 yearly. But from imports from the CNMI—insignificant! Why is this?

Imagine selling just 20 percent of $53,084,740 to Guam of our farm products for $10,616,949 annually. This could mean that about $90,000,000 could circulate throughout our economy when we consider the multiplier effect. Instead of exporting dollars as we are doing, we now import them. What a wonderful change of direction!

We can continue to discuss the merits of developing the agriculture industry in the CNMI or any of other ideas to help improve our economy, but unless we begin to help ourselves on any venture, we will remain bogged down in the mire we find ourselves in presently.

The most important point to consider at this moment is do we have the determination and courage to take chances and risks? Unless we are willing to sacrifice and work toward a goal we will remain helpless. I truly believe we have the resources to create a profitable economy. But are we willing to work them? Yes, I am preaching again but what else can I do. I believe in us. Don’t you?

Some of the ideas currently being discussed such as casinos are questionable because they do little to help the average person such as many of us in the street. Are we looking for the droppings such as taxes given to the government as an improvement to the community?

Will these ideas put people to work? Will they reduce the food stamp recipients? The line is getting longer and longer daily and the amount of money to be disbursed is getting smaller. When do we begin to work and see and feel the results of our labor? When does the money paid in salaries stay in the community? A question: How much of the huge amount of ARRA money given to us by the U.S. to date has remained and circulated in the CNMI? How many local jobs have been created?

We keep stating that tourism is our major industry, to which I wholly agree. Now combine another clean industry such as agriculture. Remember that most of our tourists are from cities where there are no farms. When they visit Saipan or the other islands, they will see a green environment. They can visit farms and see crops being grown and animals being raised. These attractions are exciting, especially for family groups.

Yes, casinos are more glamorous and sexy, but consider carefully what we will be planting with that industry. Read the history of Las Vegas and the so-called booming economy of other casino resorts. Is this the legacy we wish to leave to our children? Shall we continue to wonder why our educated youth don’t return to the islands after college? Do the thousands of people lined up for food stamps keep increasing? When do we produce local workers who will take over our businesses? Are we doomed to eternal living on handouts whether they come from the local or federal governments? Please consider carefully what we plant and the type of harvest that we will reap.

We can become a food basket if we set our minds to it. By developing their agriculture industry Tinian and Rota can become almost self-sustainable. Think of all the fruits and vegetable they can grow for export. Our people there will be producing, instead of crying for help.

The net results: clean environment, local citizens employed, money circulating in our community instead of being exported, pride in our labor, and a healthy legacy that we bestow upon our youth handed down to them with pride. Remember, as we sow, so shall we reap.

Let us rise up, pick up our tools, and stride forward without fear for the future. I am not professing to say that my way is the only way. But I am imploring us to think of the ways we can help ourselves. As I repeatedly say: There are diamonds under our feet. Let’s dig for them! Maybe not all the diamonds will be valuable but at least we will have dug for them.

The bottom line of any sustainable economy is the number of dedicated and employed citizens. Review the reasons that certain countries remain strong today. The main one is from the labor of its people. Let’s get off our buts [excuses] and do it! Agriculture is one of the best cures for what ails us. Try it. We may like it! Have a great day.