Farmers relieved after downpour

Relief has finally come for subsistence farmers in parts of Simbu province after rainfall ended a 14-week dry season.

Downpour was recorded in Chuave, Gumine, parts of Sinesine-Yongomugl, Kundiawa-Gembogl and Kerowagi districts.

NBC News understands it rained for several hours on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

Farmers in the affected areas said their withered food crops had begun to recover following the downpours.

In Kundiawa, the Simbu provincial capital, an estimated two-hour rainfall was recorded on Sunday afternoon and Monday night, with about 50-minute shower on Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile, local leaders in Karimui-Nomane are calling on the District Development Authority to fund immediate drought relief supplies after communities were affected over the last two months.

Salt local level government president Bolkiabo Goroba and Kilau ward member James Gulabe said they had written to Karimui-Nomane MP Francis Yori and the DDA requesting rice, flour and other food supplies for mass distribution in remote communities.

The duo said the DDA should divert funds from infrastructure projects to drought relief, after the prolonged dry season devastated gardens across the district.

“We are appealing to MP Yori and the DDA to prioritize our people’s food security,” Mr Goroba and Mr Gulabe said in a joint statement.

Attempts to reach MP Francis Yori for comments were unsuccessful.

Karimui-Nomane district administrator Gabriel Kaupa said the national government had not allocated any funding for drought relief operations in the district.

With the rainy season now starting, farmers are hopeful that consistent rainfall will help restore food gardens that were badly affected by the drought.