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Kilili: Farmers can get typhoon help from USDA
Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan says that farmers and ranchers who suffered losses from Typhoon Dolphin can look to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for help with recovery.
“There are four programs Congress has authorized and USDA runs that can be of immediate assistance to farmers and ranchers,” Sablan said. “Information is available online or by contacting Mr. Thomas Camacho at the Farm Service Agency, at 670-234-0896 or thomas.camacho@pb.usda.gov.”
The four programs producers are encouraged to check are:
Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance. Helps to offset production losses for producers, who were signed up in advance, and was part of the Agricultural Act of 2014, written while Sablan was a member of the House Agriculture Committee. (http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/15_mtnap.pdf)
Tree Assistance Program. Makes funding available to growers of papaya, banana, and other tropical fruit to clean up their orchards and replant. The 2014 Agricultural Act made TAP a permanent disaster program. (http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/tap_2014.pdf)
Livestock Indemnity Program. Offsets losses of cattle, pigs, and poultry due to adverse weather by providing 75 percent of the value of the livestock. This program was also authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014. (http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/lip_long_fact_sht_2014.pdf)
Farm Loan Program. Offers a range of low-interest loans to help agricultural producers recover from storm damage. Producers with existing loans should also contact their Farm Services Agency loan officer, if they expect they will have trouble making their regular loan payments because of the storm. (http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/farmlnchart_current.pdf)
Sablan also reported that the Farm Services Agency has been on the ground on Rota, making site visits to individual farms and inspecting the damage. FSA officials are expected to be on Saipan next week.
“USDA, FEMA, and other agencies have moved quickly to help the Northern Mariana Islands pick up the pieces after Typhoon Dolphin,” Sablan said. “It is good to know the federal government is there when we need it.” (Office of the Delegate)
