OUR rural people should be encouraged to grow and eat more local food rather than relying on processed food from shops.
A local farmer and vegetarian in Malaita Province Michael Hou stated this to the paper after noticing that public in Auki rushed to shops since Saturday to buy rice.
Rice and other food stock have ran out a fortnight ago affecting families who depended on rice as a subsidiary food.
However, since the arrival of the first supply of rice on Friday many have flooded shops to buy rice.
However, the shipment failed to meet the high demand for rice in Auki.
Mr Hou who normally sells sweet potatoes at Auki Market encourages locals to concentrate on farming activities to prepare for times like this.
“Rural people should not worry about rice because they can work and plant their own food in the gardens.
“It’s sad to see many people from rural areas rushing in to buy imported rice,” he said.
He therefore calls on the government to revive rice farming in the country to avoid importing rice.
By SOLOMON LOFANA
Auki News Bureau
