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Farmers donate produce to man’amko
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Posted on May 20 2004
The CNMI senior citizens—man’amko—were on the receiving end of a donation of about $400 worth of fruits and vegetables on Tuesday, courtesy of various farmers on island.
The donation was one of many activities farmers on island are doing this month to celebrate Mes Lancheros, or Farmers Month. The donation came courtesy of 13 farmers.
Saipan Agricultural Fair Association member Vicente Borja said the donation is a way for the farmers to “give back to the community.”
“We wanted to start with the man’amko because we, the generation of today, will not be able to get into these things, like farming [without them]…It is very much a part of our local culture,” said Borja. “That’s one way of showing our appreciation, by sharing the abundance.”
Office of Aging director Joseph Palacios said the donation would enable the office to divert money used to buy fruits and vegetables to treats for the man’amko.
“This will save us at least two weeks of not buying vegetables. The money that we actually save, we can turn around and use it for other meat products that they [man’amko] haven’t tried for a while.”
Winter squash, apigigi, hot pepper, okra, lemon, banana, eggplant, pumpkin, and betel nut were just some of the goods donated.
“The man’amko feels appreciated…and respected,” Palacios said. “This will probably make them [farmers] more successful.”
Several other activities will go on to celebrate Mes Lancheros. Borja said the farmers will make another donation of fruits and vegetables today to the CHC Volunteers Association, who will sell the produce at a minimal price for funds needed in the hospital.
Division of Agriculture director Donald Flores said the proceeds will go to the volunteer group, which, in turn, will use the money to buy medical equipment for the Commonwealth Health Center.
Other upcoming activities include the annual Saipan Agriculture Fair, which is on May 28-30.(Cassie Fejeran)
