Plant pathology activities in the Pacific Region

Abstract

The Pacific region is spread over 30 million square kilometres, and 98% of it is ocean. There are approximately 7500 islands of which 500 are inhabited. The scattered nature of the islands and their isolation are major issues in the provision of basic services, including agricultural technical services. The countries are grouped into three sub-regions: Melanesia (west), Polynesia (southeast) and Micronesia (north) based on their ethnic, linguistic and cultural differences. The physical sizes, economic prospects, available natural resources, and political developments in these sub-regions make the grouping useful but Fiji, although considered part of Melanesia, is similar (in culture) to the Polynesian countries. The islands themselves feature great geographical diversity. Papua New Guinea accounts for 83% of the land area while Nauru, Pitcairn, Tokelau and Tuvalu are each smaller than 30 square kilometres. Some countries and territories, such as Nauru and Nuie, are compact, consisting of only one island, whereas others, such as French Polynesia and Federated States of Micronesia, include more than a hundred islands which are spread over enormous distances. In their physical geography and natural resources, the Melanesian countries tend to be large and mountainous with rich soils; they have exploitable mineral deposits and plentiful marine resources. Polynesia and Micronesia are smaller. Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Tokelau and Tuvalu consist of low-lying atolls that are only one or two metres above sea level. The smaller volcanic islands such as Cook Islands, parts of Federated States of Micronesia, Tonga and Samoa have some fertile land, but both the living and non-living natural resources are mainly confined to the ocean. The populations and demographic trends in the region are varied. Some countries like the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands are growing at the rate of 5.6% in recent years while Nuie's population is decreasing at the rate of 2.4%. The total population of the region was estimated at 6.9 million in 1996, with Melanesia accounting for 84%, Polynesia 9% and Micronesia 7%. The political systems and structures are many and varied. Tonga is a monarchy, Vanuatu an independent republic, Samoa an independent state where only Matai can be elected to Parliament, Nuie a self-governing Commonwealth country in free association with New Zealand, Palau a republic associated with the United States of America in a Compact of Free Association, Guam an incorporated Territory of the United States of America and New Caledonia a French Overseas Territory. Of the 22 political entities, 15 are constitutionally independent. Given this situation, regional and national development require an integrated work program that takes into account these differences Agriculture and fishing, whether commercial or subsistence, are the main activities for most of the region's population, and the only source of exports for some. Limited markets and the overall decline of commodity prices have affected the traditional production and export of copra and other coconut products. Countries and territories with successful agricultural and mineral exports include Fiji, Nauru, New Caledonia, PNG, Solomon Islands and Tonga. Timber is a major export commodity from the Melanesian sub-region but most of the profits go to companies based elsewhere. Fish exports, mainly tuna, are of growing importance to many Island countries and territories, with the commercial use of living marine resources increasing the value of these exports to rival the combined value of other renewable resources in the region.