Land resources assessment for sugar-cane cultivation in Papua New Guinea

The nature of climatological, hydrological, geomorphological and soils information required for the locational planning of a sugar-cane estate is considered in the light of optimum needs for crop cultivation. In the Markham-Ramu Valley unstable river channels, swamps, alkaline groundwaters, climatological factors and shallow, stony soils all impose constraints on site location. The most significant factors, such as flood prevention, drainage works and supplementary irrigation needs, are those which impose an economic penalty in terms of high capital cost. These factors, along with climatological and pedological information, are used to develop a land suitability classification for sugar-cane cultivation. Careful land resource investigations help define potential problems and have enabled one site to be given preference over two others as the most suitable location for the development of Papua New Guinea's sugar industry.