Hailstorm takes its toll

By SAPE META

Farmer Yokko Sunava affected by hailstorm and frost which hit Kopafo, Kaiyufa and Ketuyarobo villages in the Kona Bena area, 15km outside Goroka in the Eastern Highlands about three weeks ago. Mr Sunava said food gardens and coffee trees were already turning yellow, wilting and dying and he feared that soon the local people would be suffering. He said it would take up to three years to bring the gardens to normal productivity. He called on local leaders and the Eastern Highlands governor to mount an assessment of the situation and assist where necessary.