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USDA offers incentives program to farmers
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Posted on Nov 19 1999
The United States Department of Agriculture/Natural Resources Conservation service (USDA/NRCS) is now accepting applications for a program that will grant farmers of up to 75 percent of dollar share cost to help them address concerns on irrigation and animal waste.
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which is being carried out in partnership with the Farm Service Agency and the local Soil And Water Conservation Districts, can be availed through the Commodity Credit Corporation.
Only landowners who have control over their lands for a minimum of five years are qualified to apply for the program.
Major resource priority concerns for Saipan are irrigation for farmers in the Kagman Watershed and animal waste. For the islands of Rota and Tinian, the priority is animal waste.
The Kagman Irrigation Project is designed to provide efficient agricultural irrigation systems to farmers located in the Kagman Watershed area. For confined animal operations on the three island municipalities, the proper control of animal waste, through collection, treatment, storage, and waste utilization is a priority. Confined animal operations may include poultry, swine, and aqua culture.
According to USDA, the program aims to improve animal waste management in existing animal operations and not to create new facilities.
Deadline for the submission of application is May 2000.
For questions, applicants may contact the Saipan and Northern Islands Soil Water Conservation District at 233-0650 or NCRS at 233-3415; Gardner Barcinas in Rota at 532-9491 or DLNR at 532-9494; or Sam Palacios in Tinian at 433-9293.
