The devastated agricultural sector fears serious shortages

Pam cyclone destroyed all food crops and severe shortages are expected if the archipelago is not rescued in food aid.

The cyclone disfigured landscapes, destroyed homes and infrastructure and devastated crops. Local producers who marketed avocados, yams, mangoes, coconuts, bananas, papayas and other tropical fruits in the central market of the capital have nothing to sell. No bananas, no fruit, nothing.

Before the hurricane, the population had stocks of food but no point of sale could not be replenished. It remains in the grocery stores a few cans and packets of biscuits but no sugar or coffee or milk.

A first report on the state of agriculture is disquieting: 100% of crops are devastated on the island of Port-Vila (the capital), only Santo and Malekula Islands are spared. Thus the archipelago now depends on two islands for food.

The problem seems impossible to solve without outside food aid. Knowing that it takes 6 months for potatoes and cassava are maturing and 1 month for cabbage (cabbage Kanak and Chinese cabbage), but must still have seeds available.

source : euronews, agence france presse