Deterioration of traditional food systems, increasing malnutrition and food dependency in the Pacific Islands
1982
Thaman, R.R.
Abstract: The replacement of time-tested, socially and environmentally-suitable Pacific Island food systems with untested and seemingly inferior imported food systems is discussed. This change appears to be leading to economic, social, and ecologic disaster for the peoples of the Pacific Islands. It is proposed that a partial return to, or use of, traditional food systems as a basis for nutritional development may be an important first step towards resolving this dilemma. Aspects of the nature of this problem, past food abundance and present food scarcity, and factors contributing to the deterioration of the food system are reviewed and discussed. These factors include: the introduction of trade goods; emphasis on cash cropping; monetization, cash employment, and consumerism; mimicking capitalistic profit-oriented development; urbanism and migration; industrialization; technological change; introduction of inferior foods; and emphasis and livestock production. (wz)
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