Banquet held to recognize island farmers and ranchers

The Saipan and Northern Islands Agricultural Fair Association held a banquet at the Hyatt Regency Saipan last Saturday.

Felipe Roberto was recognized by the Saipan and Northern Islands Agricultural Fair Association for his contributions in island farming as well as being the oldest and longest-tenured farmer on island. Kid farmers who won in the 4H youth division of the recent Agricultural Fair also pose for a picture with him. (Frauleine S. Villanueva)

The celebration was held to recognize island farmers and ranchers, especially those who participated in last June’s Agricultural Fair.

“We need to recognize them for their hard work and we need to express our appreciation for what they produce for the island because we’re an island community that is dependent on imports. We never know what’s going to happen like what happened with the DSL. If something happened, they are there to give us food,” Department of Lands and Natural Resources secretary Richard Seman said.

“The department needs to be always mindful that they’re the reason why we exist. We will do whatever we can within our means to support them and provide what they need for them to continue what they are doing,” he added.

“The overall outcome has been positive and great. We got the support of the public and private sector,” Saipan and Northern Islands Agricultural Fair Association president Michael Ogo said.

Farmers and ranchers gathered and had fun at the dinner event. Winners from the June Fair were also recognized and given their prizes.

For the 4-H Club youth division which was for young farmers ages eight to 18 years old, Chelsea Lorenzo, Froilan Camacho, and Jeremiah Camacho won the first, second, and third places, as they pocketed $364, $284, and $278 in cash prizes for their plant entries.

In the adult plant division, Ed Deleon Guerrero won first place as he received the biggest prize of $1,385 for his entries. Gregorio Calvo and Santiago Tudela won second and third place, respectively, reaping $715 and $655 in cash prizes.

For the animal division, Gregorio Camacho who gathered a cash prize of $1,275 placed first. Anthony Aguon and Jack Guerrero were on second and third place after winning $505 and $400 cash prizes.

Oldest farmer
Aside from the winners of the Agricultural Fair, one farmer in the island was also given special recognition.

“This is the first time where we’re actually choosing somebody that has been in agriculture for so many years and we’re recognizing those people for the impact that they brought to agriculture,” Ogo said.

The association awarded Felipe Roberto who they found as the oldest and longest-tenured farmer in the island.

Roberto said he has been a farmer since he was 11 years old and now that he is 81, he hasn’t stopped.

“I am so proud,” Roberto said tearfully, “Farming is not so easy, but it is not so hard.”

Roberto added that farming should be given importance in the island.

“The young generation now they don’t want to be farmers. They want to be in the offices,” he said.