Some food market influences of a large-scale smallholder development in the West New Britain area of Papua New Guinea.

Abstract

The influx of over 10,000 settlers into the area around Kimbe in West New Britain through the development of a large-scale agricultural project has had profound influences on both the amount and variety of foods sold in local markets. The paper summarizes the results of a market survey carried out during 1977. The survey showed that some traditional foods for the area, i.e. coconuts, betel nut and seafood were traded for root crops and vegetables produced by settlers, thus the diet of local villagers was supplemented from food grown by settlers. Settlers supplied 75% of food by weight delivered to one market. The balance between the two groups is an important factor in the establishment of this and similar schemes. Food gardens in settler blocks are thus of considerable practical significance for personal subsistence and trade and for limiting increases in living costs.