Abstract
The present study was carried out in the East Sepik province, Papua New Guinea. The objectives of the study were to describe the present situation of agriculture of each study site, and to clarify “the local characteristics of indigenous agriculture” by carrying out comparative studies on local agricultural techniques and knowledge. The data were collected in field surveys conducted over a periods of 3 months, from October to December 2003, in addition to extensive research carried out since 1991. It appeared that various techniques as well as knowledge reflected the local characteristics (topography, history and dietary culture, etc.) in each study area. Investigations on crop diversity showed that the number of food crops based on folk classification in cultivated land increased in proportion to the dependence on food supply from shifting agriculture fields. On the other hand, although several techniques were common among the areas, this situation was not always in complete accordance with the local farmers' intentions. In other words, indigenous knowledge and techniques did not always conform to agricultural science. It appears that the indigenous agriculture practiced in the study area reflected the adaptation to and changes in the “living subsistence activities” corresponding to various historical changes, and never stemmed from immutable tradition.
