Hundreds flock to Agri Fair Silver Jubilee

Hundreds of people of all ages flocked to the Civic Center in Susupe yesterday and joined dignitaries, farmers, ranchers, and members of the Saipan Agriculture Fair Association for the fair’s Silver Jubilee celebration.

“The turnout, compared to last year’s, is about three times greater,” said SAFA president Donald G. Flores. “There are more participants, more variety of entries, and the public seems pretty excited because of the various activities in store. After all the hard work, we’re finally here, and I am very pleased with the outcome.”

The celebration, which kicked off last Friday, played host to various competitions, including contests in the Plant and Animal divisions.

Entries in the Animal portion ranged from cows and bulls to boars, pigs, goats, pigeons, turkeys, rabbits, ducks, and chickens.

The Plant division featured fruits, vegetables, root crops, and nuts, including a variety of bananas, avocados, breadfruit, mangoes, melons, pineapples, cabbages, cucumbers, eggplants, bell peppers, beans, okra, squash, gingers, taros, yams, betelnuts, coconuts, and peanuts to name a few.

Other activities include a greasy pig catching contest, greasy pole climbing contest, coconut husking-grinding contest, bingo, cockfighting and ba’tu.

The greasy pig catching, greasy pole climbing, and the coconut husking-grinding contests continue today with the pig contest beginning at 4pm, the pole contest at 5pm, and the coconut husking-grinding contest at 6pm.

Headed by SAFA and the Department of Lands and Natural Resources, the event is meant to recognize and honor local farmers for their efforts in keeping intact the tradition of farming, contributing to the local economy, and educating the community on various farming methods.

DLNR secretary Richard B. Seman praised the government for its help, resulting in the success of the event.

“This event received a lot of assistance,” he said. “The department did whatever it could for SAFA to receive assistance from the government, and [the fair] is moving forward. SAFA is doing its best to show much appreciation to the farmers, and we’re going all out on this one, more importantly because this marks the 25th uninterrupted year in which the event is being celebrated.”

Seman also extended his appreciation to the government for granting about $50,000 for the fair. Seman said $40,000 was courtesy of the main government, while the remaining $10,000 was from the Commonwealth Development Authority.

The event highlights the celebration of Mes Lancheros, declared by Gov. Juan N. Babauta late last month.