Kagoshima University Research Center for the Pacific Islands, Occasional Papers No.34, 91-93, 2001
Part 1, Section 3, Report 1. The Progress Report of the 1999 Survey of the Research Project“Social Homeostasis of Small Islands in an Island-zone”

91

THE PRESENT SITUATION OF AGRICULTURE IN YAPMichio ONJO, Satoru TAURA and Yoshitaka SAKAMAKIAbstract
We conducted to clarify the present situation of agriculture in Yap, which is located in a typicaltropical rain area. The giant swamp taro is the main crop but is being attacked by diseases so yield maydecrease. A recent gradual diet change affects food production. An agricultural ecosystem suitable tothe Yap environment exists, maintaining this system will lead to sustainable agriculture.
Key words: Change of diet, Food production, Giant swamp taro, Yap

Introduction
In 1999, the authors surveyed agricultural production, farming system and kinds of crops
cultivated in Yap. In the surveys, we visited several villages in Yap Proper except Rumung, interviewed farmers and investigated their farms from October to November 1999. In this report,
we discuss the results of these surveys and statistical data covering, the present situation andsome problems of agriculture in Yap.

Climate and Population
Yap State consists of four main islands (called Yap Proper) and 15 outer islands. The areaof Yap Proper is about 100km2 and the highest point is 173m. The mean annual temperature is
27.2℃ and average monthly temperature was 27 ±1 ℃ in 1961 to 1990 (National AstronomicalObservatory 1997). This indicates that the temperature is almost constant throughout the year

Fig. 1. Annual rainfall and temperature of Yap in 1961-1990 (National Astronomical Observatory 1997)

92

Michio ONJ O(Fig.1).
From 1961 to 1990 total annual rainfall was 3,049mm, the average of maximum monthly
rainfall was 384.2mm in August, and the average of minimum monthly rainfall was 144.9mm inFebruary (National Astronomical Observatory 1997). Yap Proper thus is located in a typicaltropical rain area. The population in the state of Yap is estimated at 10,139. Some 66% of thetotal population live in Yap Proper(STANLAY 1992) and the population increases at a growth rateof 2.0%(M ERLIN et al. 1996).

Land Utilization
FALANRUW (1994) classified seven vegetation types in Yap, tree gardens and taro patches(27%), savannah (22%), forest (13%), secondary forest (13%), mangroves (12%), secondary
vegetations (6%) and all others (8%). The figures indicate that more than one fourth of the landarea has already been used for agricultural activity. From the viewpoint of preserving natural resources, it is thus difficult to develop new agricultural land.

Taro Problems
In Yap the giant swamp taro is the main crop. This taro is suitable crops for hot and humid
condition such as in Yap. Nevertheless, it takes three to seven years to harvest, this crop has several advantages. First, the upper part of corm can be cut off and replanted in the same place after
harvesting (easy planting). Second, it can be harvested throughout the year (all season crop).
Third, a corm may provide enough food for a family for two or three days (large amount).
Fourth, taro patch can be regarded as a natural storehouse (no need for storage equipment).
However, as SAKAMAKI (2001) reported in details, we observed that giant swamp taro did
not grow normally and that parts of corm were rotted in many taro patches. We believe that it
is not caused by nematode but by some diseases. In this case, cloning propagation may cause diseases to spread. However seven or more varieties of giant swamp taro have been confirmed inYap (M ERLIN et al. 1996), so it may be possible to find varieties resistant to the disease. Moreinvestigations are required to solve this problem.

Diet Change
According to Yap state division of agriculture and forestry, and division of commerce andindustry(1997), the ranked of imported foods in 1994 were 1. Ramen, noodles and cereals, 2.
Soft drinks, 3. Canned meat, 4. Canned fish, 5. Rice, 6. Frozen meat, 7. Fruit and vegetables, 8.
Confectionery, 9. Sugar and 10. Cooking oils. We also asked peoples about thier primary kindof food. They answered that they ate not only taro but also rice, ramen and canned meat orfishes. In 1994, the average household dollar value of canned meat and ramen in Yap state wasabout two times its value in the other three states of FSM (Yap state division of agriculture andforestry, and division of commerce and industry 1997). This data supports the results of our interview.
Since the giant swamp taro needs one to three hours for cooking, we presume that people
tend to prefer to ramen or canned meat that can be cooked quickly and easily. It goes without
saying that a change of diet is strongly related to agricultural production. This change may affecton the agricultural system in Yap.

The Present Situation of Agriculture in Yap

93

Food Production and Agricultural System
Table 1 shows the main crops of Yap observed in this survey. These crops might be selectedby Yapese for a long time, so that these are suitable for growth in Yap. FALANRUW (1994) also
stated that “Yap’s traditional agricultural system was probably adapted to ensure a continuous
supply of food”.
Generally in tropical rain areas, the ecosystem is somewhat delicate. In particular, soils
might be eroded because of high rainfall, and the lack of humus makes soil poor. Therefore, we
can not recommend introducing large-scale agriculture development. However small-scale agriculture, especially vegetable production can still be improved. The yield of imported cabbages,
cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes and green beans can be increased if the proper time, locationand method of cultivation are selected.
Table 1. A list of main crops observed in this survey in Yap
Common nameScientific name

Giant swamp taro
Taro
Sweet potato
Yam

Cyrtosperma chamissonis
Colocasia esculenta
Ipomoea batatas
Dioscorea alata
Dioscorea esculenta
Artocarpus altilis
Inocarpus edulis
Cocos nucifera
Psidium guajava
Musa spp.
Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa
Annona muricata
Carica papaya
Citrus spp.
Cucubita spp.
Vigna spp.
Ipomea aqwatica

Bread fruit
Polynesian chestnut
Coconut palm
Guava
BananaYellow passion fruit
Soursop
PapayaOrangePumpkin
Bean
Kangkung

References
FALANRUW, M.V.C. 1994. A Journal of Micronesian Studies/Rainy Season:5-22.
国 立 天 文 台 編 1997. 理 科 年 表 1,054 ペ ー ジ ． 丸 善 , 東 京 ．［National AstronomicalObservatory (ed.) 1997. Chronological Scientific Tables. 1,054pp. Maruzen, Tokyo. ］
M ERLIN, M., KUGFAS, A., KEENE, T. ＆ JUVIK, J. 1996. Plants, People and Ecology in Yap.
Ⅴ+131pp. East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii.
SAKAMAKI, Y., ONJO, M., & T AURA, S. 2001. Kagoshima Univ. Res Center for the Pac. Islands,Occasional Papers, No. 34, 101-104.
Yap State Division of Agriculture and Forestry, and Division of Commerce and Industry. 1997.
Yap state agricultural marketing assessment and guidelines, 1-71.