DailyPost Administrator posted on January 13, 2010 04:30
The people of north east Ambae are raising their concerns over a ‘dry leaf laplap’ phenomenon which has baffled many with the plant withering in more than a couple of villages.
In a phone call to the Daily Post a concerned villager, Masten Vuvu called on local authorities under the Ministry of Agriculture to assist after villagers from Lolopuepue to Lolovenue, including Ambanga which is the road to the Manaro volcano have been noticing their ‘leaf laplap’ shriveling and drying up.
Vuvu said: “This has been happening for over six months now since it begun in mid 2009 and is a real concern because ‘laplap’ and ‘bunia’ are two of the most common dishes found in many of the islands.
“Lolovenue alone has over 1000 people and as a villager my concern is we depend heavily on this to prepare our meals. But since June/July 2009 individual garden plots to community leaf laplap plantations have been withering away.”
Vuvu said the villagers were baffled and could not put their finger to what exactly is the problem.
“A mother told me she does not know what to do if this continues and our chief has also voiced his worry.
“It could not be the dry season because last year’s weather here was humid 50/50, rainy and sunny.
“And it is only the leaf laplaps which are affected, the banana leaves and other crops are okay. Lolovenue alone has over 1000 people. We do not know if other villagers in the surrounding areas are experiencing the same problem but this is our livelihood and we would really appreciate some assistance from responsible authorities.”
“Our contact number is 38346.”
-Jane Joshua