Papua New Guinea has over 200 crop species that are being utilized, but information in terms of quantity and quality is extremely variable and sparse for most of these crops. The crop species of interest as crops for the future are determined by growing conditions in agro-ecological zones but about 11 indigenous and 25 exotic species of fruits, nuts and vegetables have been identified. Future research needs to include evaluation of these crops for biodiscovery or biofuels, identification of those that are high yielding and of high nutritive value for food, assessment of those meeting domestic or export demand, pest and disease tolerance or resistance and suitability for crop rotations or intercropping. Post-harvest factors are also seen as important in the development of underutilized crops. The priority species include the major staples (aroids and sweet potato), galip nut ( Canarium indicum), noni ( Morinda citrifolia), okari ( Terminalia kaernbacchii), sago ( Metroxylon sagu), aibika ( Abelmoschus manihot), aupa ( Amaranthus spp.), pitpit ( Sacchurum edule), pandanus ( Pandanus spp.) and kava ( Piper methysticum). Galip nut is highlighted as an excellent example of where progress has been made in development for commercialization. Many factors are important for success but public-private partnerships are possibly one of the major factors.
