South Pacific Agriculture Choices And Constraints

This 1987 volume brought together for the first time a range of essays on the anthropology of food in Oceania and Southeast Asia. The essays reflect research in the field, primarily that undertaken by Australian scholars. The volume focuses on four main concerns: factors that influence the production of food and dietary behaviour; the way in which people think and speak about diet and nutrition, including concepts of hunger and the classification of foods; infant feeding practice, including the promotion of bottle feeding; and the roles of government agencies and multinational corporations. The regional focus of the volume also allows for discussion of common trends, especially those that have arisen as a result of societies in the region having been incorporated into the world economy. Applicable elsewhere in the world, the volume offers a basis for a comparative analysis of food in culture and society.

This title was first published in 2001. This study indicates that researchers have far to go in understanding and assessing how development projects work. The author shows that, often, the perception of failure is not shared by those whom were intended to benefit. She uses a case study of Samoan villagers introduced to cattle farming to examine the wider development process and challenge the conventional theories. By drawing on people-centred perspectives that give much greater weight to the role of culture in development, the volume does not simply criticize development project management, but suggests practical and positive ways forward, encouraging spontaneous indigenous development which should be supported by projects where appropriate.

Part of the 'Pacific 2010' series which focuses on the need to plan for the long term requirements of the island states of the South Pacific. Addresses strategic questions about the longer-term development of Melanesian agriculture in the light of current problems and emerging trends in the environment. Suggests ways of changing agriculture to become a powerful part of Melanesian economies by the year 2010. Includes a bibliography and index. J Brian Hardaker is professor and head of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Business Management at the University of New England. Euan Fleming is a lecturer in agricultural economies at the University of New England.