THE PALAU PACC FOODSECURITYPROJECT: A BENEFIT COST ANALYSIS

Organization:

Palau’s Taro Production

Issues/Problems:

i. The frequency and intensity of extreme climatic events (such as prolonged droughts and
cyclones) is also expected to increase under the pressures of climate change. This situation is
already contributing to declining food production and is occurring at a time when Palau’s
income earning opportunities are decreasing.
ii. The prevailing dietary patterns, which contribute to weightproblems and associated ill heath
were listed as:
a. a general pattern of over-consumption relative to exercise;
b. Over-consumption of protein in general and low quality protein in particular (e.g.
canned meats high in salts, fats and preservatives);
c. low consumption of fruit and vegetables;
d. high consumption of rice and declining consumption of more nutritious taro;
e. a preference for imported processed food; and, low levels of nutritional awareness.

Methodology:

i. Scenarios facing wetland

ii. Research

List of cost

Monetary Non monetary

The Ngimis taro patch pilot cost
$9,400 and is estimated that it will
cost a further $12,000 in the
second year to complete the pilot.
 Soil tests – pH and
nutrient levels
 Labor input
No allowance is made for
maintenance of dikes. A well
constructed earthen dike, on which
trees are planted, can be expected
to last generations of taro growers.
 quantity and type of soil
additives and fertilizer
applied
 Crop yields and quality
assessment

List of benefits
 Monetary Non monetary
Scaling up the sustainable upland  Youth employment;
agroforestry pilot  environmental and
amenity benefits from
reducing the need to
clear Palau’s remaining
primary forest areas;
and,
 Environmental and
future income generating
benefits from reducing
soil runoff into Palau’s
marine environment.
Training expenses farmers  Farmers value of
assessment
 The quality of farm

Output of the report

 The expansion of two terrestrial PACC pilot food security projects is justified and necnecessar
 The expectation is, subject to the verification of the expanded pilots, that it will be worthwhile
investing private (farmer) and public (government and donor) funds in the scaling up of the
pilots into a national sustainable food security program.