Embedded Files
Capital
Popondetta
Total Area: 12,709 km2
Population Total: 99,762
Population Density: 7.8/km2
Coordinates: 9°15′S 148°34′E
(Extracts from ‘Papua New Guinea Development Handbook’, Commonwealth of Australia 2001. Updated where necessary)
Ijivitari District covers the coastal floodplains from Ambasi to Oro Bay, Mt Lamington, the Managalas Plateau and the Pongani and Bareji valleys. The south of the district covers the coastal flood plains of the Yupuru, Musa and Rakua rivers, the volcanic peaks of the Nelson Range south of Tufi, the Owen Stanley Range and the valleys of the Moni River and its tributaries. Average annual rainfall ranges from 1900 mm in the Moni Valley, to 3000 mm on the Managalas Plateau. Altitude varies from sea level to over 3500 m in the Owen Stanley Range.
Population
The estimated rural population in the year *2011 is 99,762. The highest population densities occur on the northern coastal floodplains, on the Managalas Plateau and in the coastal areas of Collingwood Bay, which have an average of 25 persons/km2. The Moni Valley and floodplains of the Musa River have low densities of 10 persons/km2. Over half of the district consists of unoccupied swamps and mountains.
Agriculture in the district is characterized by low intensity sweet potato production. In small areas of alluvial plains along Collingwood Bay, people cultivate moderate intensity sweet potato gardens, with 6–14 consecutive plantings before fallow periods of 15 years. Sago is the most important food in the floodplain areas of the Bareji and Musa rivers and is supported by low intensity mixed staple cultivation. Coconut is an important food in all floodplain and coastal areas. In the 1982–83 National Nutrition Survey, malnutrition in children under five years was assessed as fair; 35 per cent of children were stunted and 10 per cent were seriously underweight.
Land Potential
The district has considerable areas of high potential land. In the Wanigela area and east along Collingwood Bay much of this land is presently unoccupied. There are isolated areas of very highland potential around Safia, Afore and in the lower Pongani and Kwagira valleys. There is high land potential in the upper Bareji Valley and on the lower western slopes of Mt Victory. The Moni Valley and Managalas Plateau have moderate potential constrained by steep slopes, while the coastal areas around Oro Bay have moderate potential constrained by frequent flooding.
Agricultural Pressure and Potential
There is moderate agricultural pressure around Tufi and along the coast of Collingwood Bay resulting from moderate intensity agriculture being practiced in low potential environments. There is potential for agricultural development on the Managalas Plateau and in the lower Pongani and Bareji valleys where there is moderate to very high potential land and good access to markets. The development of presently unoccupied land on the lower slopes of Mt Lamington is restricted by a volcanic hazard. In 1951, villages in these areas were destroyed and many lives were lost. Areas inland of Wanigela and in the Moni and Kwagira valleys have high to very high land potential, but access to markets is poor.
Disadvantaged People
The most disadvantaged people in the district are the small populations around Tufi and in the coastal areas of Collingwood Bay who are constrained by moderate agricultural pressure and very low incomes. Small numbers of people in the Moni Valley around Safia, Obea, Oroubi, Awala and Namudi earn very low incomes and have poor access to services. People on the floodplains of the Musa River and in the lower Pongani and Bareji valleys earn very low incomes. Overall, people in Ijivitari District are moderately disadvantaged relative to people in other districts of PNG. There is some agricultural pressure, land potential is moderate, access to services is moderate and cash incomes are low.
Google Sites
Report abuse