Subsistence patterns and sago cultivation in the Purari River ( PNG).

Abstract

The Purari Delta is one of the areas in Papua New Guinea where the subsistence staple, and the culture associated with it is based upon sago. The cultivars used are normally grown in specific sago areas and not collected from the wild. For these cultivars much consideration is given to selection for ease of processing, palatability, and cooking properties. The possibilities of using sago starch as an energy source through fermentation could change this situation. Yields would be increased through the organization of sago areas, and traditional opposition to the mechanization of sago production could weaken in light of its new-found commercial value. -from Authors