Paper short abstract:

This paper presents a case study from East New Britain Province (ENBP), PNG, and examines the adaptive decisions of cocoa farmers in response to the sudden incursion of the pest, Cocoa Pod Borer (Conopomorpha cramerella), which has decimated their production and incomes

Paper long abstract:

The paper presents research conducted among cocoa producing households in East New Britain Province (ENBP), PNG. These households have suffered the impacts of the recent incursion of the pest Cocoa Pod Borer (Conopomorpha cramerella) (CPB) which has decimated their incomes from cocoa. Since 2007 when the pest first arrived in the province, cocoa production has fallen by 80%. Cocoa was the largest source of income in ENB and grown by over 70% of households in the province; thus the impact of the pest on the local economy and on the livelihoods of cocoa farmers has been enormous. While a small proportion of cocoa farmers has adopted the high input cropping system recommended to control the pest, most have been unable or reluctant to do so. The presentation examines why so few farmers have made the transition to more 'modern' intensive farming of cocoa. We draw on field data to argue that such a transition requires more than a technical fix and some training; rather it also requires a partial transformation of smallholders themselves, individually and collectively to remain in cocoa production. This involves adopting new values (more market orientated) and major lifestyle and agricultural changes that many identified as incompatible with a 'way of life' that provides status, identity and a moral order. The presentation will conclude by highlighting the need for greater engagement with moral questions and dilemmas in discussions around concepts of community adaptation and resilience.