Self-reliance in Kiribati: contrasting views of agricultural and fisheries production

• Published in: The Geographical journal Vol. 168; no. 2; pp. 163 - 177
• Main Author: Thomas, Frank R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK and Boston, USA Blackwell Publishers Ltd 01.06.2002; Blackwell Publishers; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Agriculture; Agroforestry; Crop diversification; Crop production; Diseases; Economic development; Environment; Environmental impact; Fish culture; Fisheries; Fishery economics; Fishing; Food crops; Food economics; Health; Islands; Kiribati; MIRAB; Nutrition; Ocean fisheries; Self-reliance; Self-sufficiency; South Tarawa; Sustainable agriculture; Sustainable development; Tropical crops; Tarawa Atoll; Kiribati
• ISSN: 0016-7398; 1475-4959
• DOI: 10.1111/1475-4959.00045

Aid and remittances have long defined the economies of Pacific Island 'micro states' as part of the MIRAB approach to development. However, these sources of support now face an uncertain future. While recognizing that atoll nations, such as Kiribati, are constrained in terms of their agricultural potential, particularly on urban South Tarawa, there is still room for improvement of both traditional and exotic crop production to help reverse the trend of increasing imported food dependency and the rising incidence of nutritionally related non-communicable diseases. By contrast, the inshore fisheries sector currently satisfies both subsistence and local commercial needs. This paper examines extant agricultural and nearshore fisheries activities on South Tarawa and analyzes the impact on health and nutrition and on the environment.