The planned United States military buildup in Guam will open up lucrative markets for agricultural products from the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas.
That's the view of the secretary of the Department of Lands and Natural Resources in the territory, Ignacio Dela Cruz.
In a speech delivered at the 28th Annual Saipan Agricultural Fair on Saturday, Mr Dela Cruz said the military buildup will refurbish the government slaughterhouse to the standards of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
He says such standards will meet not only local needs but will supplement Guam's critical needs as well.
Mr Dela Cruz says the Government and its agencies are looking at whether they are providing the necessary assistance to the territory's farmers and ranchers, to ensure they can take full advantage of this developing market.
