There’s a drop in dalo cultivation, says Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Tomasi Tunabuna.
Mr Tunabuna said this was primarily due to the encroachment of saltwater into farmlands as sea level rises.
“This environmental challenge has made it increasingly difficult for farmers to maintain healthy crops,” he said.
“It has directly impacted the production of dalo, a vital food source in the region.”
To counteract the effects of saltwater intrusion, a plan is in place to address the affected areas.
“The goal is to reduce salt levels in the soil, making it more suitable for dalo planting and other agricultural activities.
“These efforts are critical in safeguarding food security and the livelihoods of local communities reliant on farming.”
Also affecting dalo production, he said, was the drop in number of labourers in rural farming communities. He said many have shifted to different employment sectors or moved away from the area.
