ENB celebrates World Food Day live on air

By VERONICA MANUK
EAST New Britain province has celebrated the World Food Day last Friday with awareness talks which was broadcasted live on Radio ENB.
The Department of Agriculture and Livestock took the lead with other stakeholders such as National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) and Health Department to arrange the activities for the celebration.
PA systems were set in the three main markets in the province, Kerevat, Rabaul and Kokopo to make it possible for the people to listen to important awareness and talks given by the representatives of the stakeholders.
Prizes were also given to mothers at the market who were selling best and quality food items.
According to health representatives Fidelis Bola, ENB had a healthy population with statistics of 99% nutritional status and 1% malnutrition.
He said despite the province having a healthy population there were also evidence that people often eat unbalance meals and over eating resulting in diseases like diabetes.
Mr Bola said with this year’s theme “Right to Food, Make it happen” it was important that people should be encouraged to eat right types of food, healthy and balance meal every day.
ENB is one of the provinces that produce varieties of good food due to its rich volcanic soil.
Department of Primary Industries adviser Blaise Magaga urged young people not to roam around in Kokopo and Rabaul towns but must work the land to plant good food for consumption.
Meanwhile, the province was also facing many diseases like cocoa pod borer, new castle disease and banana and taro diseases that was a big threat to its agriculture businesses.