Subsistenzproduktion in Papua-Neuguinea. Überfluß oder Mangel? Ein kritischer Nachvollzug der Kontroverse über „subsistence affiuence“Roland Seib

ASIEN – Nr. 37 (1990) pp. 21–32

More than 70% of the population of PNG live in rural areas in a subsistence economy that supplies the basic necessities of life. The article traces the scientific discussion of this type of „subsistence affluence“ since 1966 and concludes that it is quite impossible to make any generalization considering the complexity of the different social and production systems in PNG. Despite a sufficient food situation, the standard of nutrition is very low, so the author concludes that the subsistence sector ought to be given a higher priority in the agenda of international agencies away from support for cash crop production.