Report: Farmers & the Value Added Agriculture Market

A Report on Farmers & the Value Added Agriculture Market Funded by ANA Grant # 90NA8220-01-00 (2012)

Background

Survey developed in conjunction with Farm to Table Guam, the Department of Agriculture, and community of farmers.

• 1 year
• 31 farmers (30% of farmer population per the Agricultural Census)
• Northern, central, and southern Guam
• Countless hours spent planning, data gathering, compiling, and presenting information.

A look at Guam’s farmers…

• 28 of 31 farmers interviewed were Chamorro
• 53 years old was the average age of local farmers
• 68% of farmers were 3rd or 4th generation farmers
• 74% of farmers reported having to obtain income elsewhere to sustain their families
• 25% of farmers would farm full time if they made between $20k-$40k per year
• 32% of farmers would farm full time if they made between $40k-$60k per year

Sold vs. Unsold in Pounds

There is enough unsold produce on Guam to make:

• 3,400 jars of tomato sauce (1 quart)
• Over 40,000 banana smoothies (1 banana each)
• 2,000 jars of mango chutney (1/2 pints)
• Over 50,000 jars of squash baby food (4 oz each)

Where are they selling their produce?

Room for a Value Added Agriculture Market

• Farmers prefer to farm
• 50 tons of produce goes unsold each year
• Our island imports 95% of its food sources from off-island

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