|
|
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.
|
