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Abstract

 

Nandwani, D., L. Duponcheel and R. Manglona. 2007. Sustainable agriculture practices in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands. JEMREST 3:53-58

 

DOI: 10.4029/2007jemrest3no16

 

The Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands consists of a group of islands in the western pacific. Commercial agriculture exists in Northern Marianas in three main islands Saipan, Rota and Tinian at small-scale.  However, a large majority of farms are subsistence in nature.  Saipan and Tinian are the major producer of vegetables, fruits and corn, which are mainly for domestic market. On the other hand the island of Rota is the major producer of root crops. Although soil and other growing conditions are conducive to agriculture production in the islands, frequent typhoons, limited water resources, difficulties in marketing of agricultural products and the high cost of imported farm chemicals are some of the barriers that hinder development of commercial farms in the islands. Adverse environmental impacts due to excessive or improper application of farm chemicals and poor farming practices are major threats to the community and could possibly contribute to the contamination of ground-water resources and loss of soils. These conditions impose a tremendous responsibility on the farming community to consider implementation of sustainable farming practices to improve the economics of the farming operation, while simultaneously encouraging environmental stewardship on the farms and in the community. The Cooperative Research, Extension and Education Services arm of the Northern Marianas College has significantly contributed to research and extension programs to improve and maintain the sustainable farming practices in the Commonwealth in recent years.

 

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