While still an important component of the diet, there has been a steady decline in the significance of fruit and nut tree crops with an increase in arable agriculture in these islands. The major change in agricultural production has been the incorporation of sweet potato and cassava into agricultural systems. It is commonly grown and eaten on Bougainville Island, New Ireland, the Gazelle Peninsular of New Britain and on Karkar Island. It has been suggested that this limited distribution is the result of it being a comparatively recent introduction that originated from the Solomon Islands. Cut nut is grown from sea level to 500 m altitude, near the coast and in inland locations.
Production appears to be intermittent throughout the year and non-seasonal.
In the Bismarck Archipelago cut nut is eaten by outsiders, including expatriates This acceptance suggests that it has good prospects for commercial development. Galip is widely distributed in lowland areas on the northern side of New Guinea and in all island groups. Galip grows near villages, in woody regrowth after cultivation and in mature forest. Trees are usually dispersed and not grown in groves. Self-sown seedlings are protected and trees are planted, often being selected for desirable characteristics.