Abstract
Sago agriculture is closely associated with root vegeculture zones. The sago palm still plays a leading role in the cultures of some Asian and Pacific local regions. The methods of sago starch extraction depend on a particular area. Extraction methods in some of these areas were investigated through field surveys and it was established that there were some differences. This study investigates some local areas in a Pacific Island country, Papua New Guinea, as well as local areas in Southeast Asian countries, especially, Indonesia and Malaysia. Extraction of sago palm starch in Papua New Guinea and in Indonesian shows similar processes, except that different actions and implements are used. The former has sago-growing areas in coastal regions, while in Indonesia sago growing can be easily seen in Irian Jaya, Ambon, Sulawesi and Kalimantan. The results indicate some differences in techniques depending on the manner of crushing piths and the method and vessels used in washing sago piths. These differences were categorized into three types; New Guinea, Malay and Intermediate (Sulawesi) Types. These differences result from farmers’ use of sago starch, either for self-consumption, selling at local markets, or in the international starch markets. On the whole, sago palm as a food source still has a great influence on the lifestyle of rural people in the areas surveyed.
https://ror.org/04chrp450 
