IV.

Economy

The economy of New Guinea is mostly undeveloped. The great majority of people depend upon subsistence agriculture, hunting, and fishing to provide them with food. Major subsistence crops include bananas, corn, cassava, sago, yams, and taro. There are a few large plantations that produce cocoa, coffee, and copra (dried coconut meat) for export. Exported logs and lumber from New Guinea’s extensive forests provide important revenue. By far, the most important mineral resources in terms of revenue are copper and copper concentrates, gold, petroleum, and natural gas. Large deposits of silver are also mined.