Suggestions to Improve Livelihoods in Remote Lowland Communities in Western Province and Southern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea

Abstract

We surveyed subsistence food production and cash income from agricultural sources in 30 villages along a 250 km traverse in Western Province and adjacent locations in Southern Highlands Province. Most (27) of these communities are remote with no road access. Here we make suggestions on how food production could be improved and cash income from agricultural sources increased in these remote communities. More efficient food production is likely to provide multiple benefits, including increasing food security and reducing labour inputs into food production. Greater cash income is likely to improve child nutrition, increase food security, allow people to pay school fees and purchase basic agricultural tools and inputs, including household items.

Keywords: Papua New Guinea (PNG), remote communities, agriculture, food security, economic opportunities, Western Province, Southern Highlands Province

JEL Classification: O13, Q13