[Published on Saturday, Jan 31]
BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
A family at Buri village, Ranongga Island in Western Province have lost their main food garden after a landslide destroyed ready-to-harvest crops.
The landslide occurred on Wednesday last week due to continuous rainfall weakening the hillside where the family’s garden was located, causing soil and rocks to slide downhill and bury food crops.
The affected garden contained staple crops including cassava, sweet potato, taro and banana, which were expected to support the family for the coming months.
Speaking to Island Sun, Chris Podokolo said the garden was the family’s primary source of food and income, and the loss will add pressure on the household.
He said no injuries were reported during the incident, as no one was working in the garden at the time of the landslide.
Podokolo said the disaster has left the family without consistent food supply to eat in the next few months.
“Families in the rural areas depend on their garden for daily food. Now everything is gone. This is a disaster as it will take time for the family to recover,” he said.
Podokolo said community leaders on the island have described the incident as a reminder of the growing impact of extreme weather conditions on rural livelihoods, especially for subsistence farmers.
He calls on authorities and relevant agencies to assist affected families and provide awareness on safer gardening practices, particularly in areas prone to landslides.
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