TY - JOUR T1 - Sago production in a New Guinea economy JF - Human Ecology Y1 - 1974 A1 - Patricia K. Townsend KW - agricultural productivity KW - hunter-gatherer KW - labor productivity KW - Melanesia KW - palms KW - Papua New Guinea KW - pith KW - sago palm KW - starches KW - swamps KW - swine AB - The techniques used by the Sanio-Hiowe of Papua New Guinea to produce edible starch from the sago palm (Metroxylon sp.) are described. Input-output analysis demonstrates that this is a highly productive subsistence technology; nevertheless, the Sanio-Hiowe economy is characterized by an absence of intensification. This is ascribed to functional consequences of dependence on hunting and gathering in the interior. In coastal and riverine habitats, other societies using sago supplemented by fishing or horticulture can more fully exploit the potential of sago as a basis for economic intensification and a more sedentary life. VL - 2 UR - http://www.jstor.org/stable/4602300 IS - 3 U1 - Human Ecology ER -