Villagers treated for poisoning

Villagers treated for poisoning

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: A number of villagers in the
districts of Soropia and Sampara were poisoned after consuming a
type of cassava, Antara reported Monday.

The report quoted an official who said the victims had all
been cured and that no one had been severely affected. It did not
say when they were treated for the affliction or how many were
affected.

Hundreds of families in seven of the district's villages
started consuming the wild species of cassava after experiencing
difficulty obtaining rice or corn.

A.L. Tandibali, an employee of the local social welfare
office, said five tons of rice had been sent to the seven
villages afflicted.

Tandibali said locals were familiar with the cassava but had
not processed it correctly. The tubers must be fermented before
consumption in a process that requires supervision from the
Ministry of Health's food and drugs supervisory body.

Most of the districts' residents fish or farm for a living.

Kendari regent Abdul Razak Porosi told Antara that he did not
believe the villagers had resorted to eating the cassava out of
necessity.

"We had a rice surplus of 28,000 tons in August," he said. If
some people were eating the cassava it was most likely because
they were seeking a bit of diversity in their diet.

"We cannot label an area as famine-stricken just because of
reports that people are eating cassava," Abdul said.