Agriculture and Population in the Mortlock Island.

Abstract

The writers describe the growing population pressure and unique agricultural system, of one of the loneliest groups of islands in the Territory of Papua and New Guinea. They point out that the small island population is likely to double by 1970, but say that more efficient use of the limited agricultural land for subsistence gardening, coupled with rat control and water conservation measures, should ensure the support of the increased population. An interesting sidelight is the description of the introduction of a new method of growing taro ( Colocasia), which has resulted in a greatly increased output.