This report outlines the development of new methods to assess land resource potential and agricultural pressure in Papua New Guinea. Land resource potential was derived through the classification of environmental data relevant to the growth and management of crops under village conditions. Parameters such as annual rainfall, rainfall seasonality, temperature, light, flooding, slope gradient and soil type were classified according to crop growth constraints. Information on land resource potential pressure is being used to guide and prioritise the research activities of the PNG National Agricultural Research Institute along with the rural development activities of international development donors and all levels of government within the country. While the work is specific to PNG, the methods presented are generic and applicable to most situations depending on data availability.

"This report outlines the development of new methods to assess land resource potential and agricultural pressure in Papua New Guinea. Land resource potential was derived through the classification of environmental data relevant to the growth and management of crops under village conditions. Parameters such as annual rainfall, rainfall seasonality, temperature, light, flooding, slope gradient and soil type were classified according to crop growth constraints. Information on land resource potential pressure is being used to guide and prioritise the research activities of the PNG National Agricultural Research Institute along with the rural development activities of international development donors and all levels of government within the country. While the work is specific to PNG, the methods presented are generic and applicable to most situations depending on data availability"--Summary Web page.

Agriculture dominates the rural economy of Papua New Guinea (PNG). More than five million rural dwellers (80% of the population) earn a living from subsistence agriculture and selling crops in domestic and international markets. Many aspects of agriculture in PNG are described in this data-rich book. Topics include agricultural environments in which crops are grown; production of food crops, cash crops and animals; land use; soils; demography; migration; the macro-economic environment; gender issues; governance of agricultural institutions; and transport. The history of agriculture over the 50 000 years that PNG has been occupied by humans is summarised. Much of the information presented is not readily available within PNG. The book contains results of many new analyses, including a food budget for the entire nation. The text is supported by 165 tables and 215 maps and figures.

Provides invaluable information on natural resources, population, agricultural access to services, cash income, land potential, child malnutrition and disadvantaged people in PNG.

A concise yet thorough overview of environmental issues, problems, and controversies facing Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica. They are vast, distant, and scarcely populated. Yet the environments of Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica are facing the same threats confronting the rest of the planet, as well as some unique ones of their own. How have human-introduced species impacted Australia's natural order? What new global conventions are helping close Antarctica's ozone hole? And how is global climate change threatening the South Pacific's species-rich coral reefs? The region's governments are grappling with the spectre of global warming, which, if not meaningfullly addressed by industrialized nations half a world away, could produce rising sea levels capable of engulfing several states of Oceania and partially submerging portions of many other inhabited islands. Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica tackles the difficult issues, tough problems, and political controversies surrounding these lands of extremes.

People have adequate food security when households have the capacity to access sufficient food at all times, either through self-production or through market purchases. Overall, food security is high in PNG as most rural people have access to land and can grow most of their food requirements. The food security situation is considerably better in PNG now than it was before the Pacific war. This is because high-yield staple crops have been adopted and people have access to cash income that can be used to purchase food. The adoption of new staple crops provided a once-off benefit, however, this phase is now ending in PNG. This proceedings contains the 120 papers presented at the Papua New Guinea Food and Nutrition 2000 Conference held at the PNG University of Technology in Lae from 26-30 June 2000.