PAPUA NEW GUINEA  ... some Industries

Papua New Guinea has essentially an agricultural economy.  Some ventures, not all, are shown here.

2 crocodile species are found in PNG.  The fresh water Crocodilus Noveaguneae inhabits fresh water systems and Crocodilus Porosus lives mostly in salty marshes, mangrove swamps and estuaries. Crocodile farming was begun to take advantage of skin selling.  (see right) . skin sellers in Angoram showing off a skin which will bring a good price.

(top left) a crocodile hatching from its egg. Mortality rate of new born crocs is very high. Farmers are advised and helped by Wildlife officers in setting up their "farms", which have streams nearby to make the conditions very close to what the crocodile would have in the wild. It takes a crocodile about 3 years to produce a skin that measures 40 cm across the body. Crocodile protection laws, forbid the export of skins more than 51 cm (20 inches) across

the belly.   This measure was designed to prevent the slaughter of mature crocodiles to enable them to breed   A farm at Moitaka is open to the public.

TROUT farming brings in a good income for the country.  These pictures are from 10 kilometres north of Goroka, in the Eastern Highlands about 2000 metres above sea-level. From left to right in these photos - unpolluted water and exactly at the best temperature of 15 degrees celsius ; grading trout by size ' and the fingerling pond.

Kotuni Trout are exported mostly to the USA.  They reach a marketable size at about 18 months after hatching.  When ready, the trout are killed, cleaned, packed in ice and delivered to the freezing plant in Goroka.  From there they are distributed by a seafood marketing company.

There are many trout farms now in PNG bringing in good incomes

Ocean and coastal fishing is also bringing in an income to many locals where live near the sea.  Here is a good catch proudly shown.

Many farmers are becoming self-sufficient with their chicken farming.  One of the largest which was operating when we lived there, was Ilimo run, then, by the Neilson family.  Poultry farms range from large commercial farms to commercial small-holdings, to village poultry.

TEA plantations are found high in the Highlands with one at Garaina, in the Morobe Province,  being established in 1939.  Women are employed as pluckers while men do weeding, fertilising and pruning. A tea plant will bear for up to 80 years.  To maintain the best of the plant,  the leaves (2 leaves and a bud) must be plucked every 12 days.  Every bush, every acre, all year around.

Coconut plantations are part of PNG's economy.  The oil palm seed being harvested (left hand picture).  This oil is used in the manufacture of soap and margarine, and has been the basis for income in West New Britain. Parent breeding palms were established and PNG produces all its own high-yielding seed.

Few realise that RUBBER trees have been grown in and rubber produced since the 1920's.  It can grow in a wide variety of soil types, climatic regions, and altitudes and will withstand more indifferent management than many other crops. This picture on left is showing tree lace scrap being removed from the tapping cut before the day's tapping. Its not unusual when driving to the mountains behind Port Moresby (Sogeri area) to see the cups on the rubber trees and locals tending to the collection.  The latex is attended to and rolled by hand, and brings in a good income.

Papua New Guinea's rich lush forests extend from the coastal lowland rainforests high up into the damp wet mossy forests to an altitude of 3350 metres.  It is estimated that there are over 200 species of tree size.  The complex flora is a botanists paradise and includes some of the finest cabinet and furniture woods that can be found in the world at this time.  Timber is a good export for the country.

Logs ready for loading to export to Japan

a fallen kamarere, one of the most valuable species harvested in West New Britain Province.

Thousands of seedlings enjoy nursery attention being being planted out in the reforestation program.

Maingen Silau pictures in his mind the design of his next boat.  Without working plans or drawings, a keel is laid.  One by one the ribs rise above it and slowly, timber by timber, plank by plank, a boat is built.  The boats are cargo-carrying vessels some 14 metres long and with a beam of 4.5 metres.  This one is the 4th he had made at this stage and was to be used to ply between the islands of the New Ireland Province. It was to be carrying copra to Kavieng and return with village and plantation supplies. This man used only hand tools - saws, planes, axes and brace & bit.  He cuts the keel, ribs and planking from medium size hardwood

trees in the few remaining areas of forest on the 14 klm long Emira Island of the St Matthias Group, New Ireland. The decking of his boats  is softwood, pit-sawn by  men from Tench island, 71 kms away. (left) plank by plank the boat is built.

Papua New Guinea also has crops of coffee, cocoa, spice growing (cardamon), bamboo, tobacco, rice, and peanuts to name a few. Pigs,cattle, water buffalo  and a few sheep are also grazed. Gold mining has been good for the economy as well as copper-mining too.

These mountain top villagers tending to their food crops - being self sufficient for their own village needs.  Most grow taro, potatoes and assorted greens. Contented with what they have.

below . Fishing on local waters at sunset - this has to be some sort of paradise !

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