Adapter les méthodes d'enquêtes à une agriculture principalement non marchande: un exemple en Nouvelle-Calédonie

Abstract

The main part of agricultural activities (agriculture, breeding, fishing, hunting) of Kanak households living in tribes escape official statistics of New Caledonia, because of an often non-market destination of the products. This paper presents the approach and the methodological experiences of a sample survey led to measure the real weight of these activities, which outline rural lifestyle. We explain the different stages of a wide survey: shaping the research question, defining the target population, constructing the sample and the questionnaire, mobilizing IT tools, collecting data, controlling, correcting and, finally, processing data and analyzing results. Reflections and importance made at each stage have yielded original data on the activities of the Kanak rural households. Eventually, efforts to adapt the entire investigation to the local complexity offer information on the crucial role of these activities in food. It also allows us to assess the marketing practices and stimulates the debate on social and symbolic functions of farming, gathering, fishing and hunting.