Agroforest Syst (2011) 83:373–374 DOI 10.1007/s10457-011-9465-5

BOOK REVIEW

C. Elevitch (ed): Speciality crops for the Pacific Islands Permanent agriculture resources, P.O. Box 428, Holualoa, HI 96725, USA. ISBN: 0-970 2544-8-1; 13-978-0-970 2544-8-1. 2011, pp 558, Hardcover, US $75.00 N. M. Nayar

Published online: 30 November 2011 Ó Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011

This is a ‘reference book for gardeners and small farmers in the Pacific and throughout the tropics who are interested in new economic opportunities from specially crops’, according to the publishers. ‘This book covers 27 important speciality crops, valueadded processing, enterprise development, accessing unique markets, sustainable local food production, economic and ecological viability, multicrop agroforestry systems and local system with export potential’, states the publisher further. The 27 ‘speciality crops’ include four tuber crops— giant swamp taro (Cyrtosperma chamissonis), giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhizos; not A. macrorrhiza, as given in the book), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), tannia (Xanthosoma spp.), and taro (Colocasia esculenta), coconut (Cocos nucifera), bread fruit (Artocarpus altilis), and banana and plantain (Musa spp.), all of which constitute the staple food crops of the Pacific islands. The remaining 20 included here are: bamboos (various species), spices—black pepper (Piper nigrum), chilli pepper (Capsicum spp.), ginger (Zingiber officinale), and kava (P. methysticum), four stimulants and flavorings—cacao (Theobroma cacao), coffee (Coffea spp.) tea (Camellia sinensis), and vanilla (Vanilla planifolia), three fruits and nuts— lychee (Litchi chinensis), macademia nut (Macademia integrifolia and M. tetraphylla), and mangosteen N. M. Nayar (&) ICAR, CTCRI, Sreekariyam, Trivandrum 695011, India e-mail: [email protected]

(Garcinia mangostana), two multipurpose trees— koa (Acacia koa) and tamanu (Calophyllum inophyllum), two vegetable plants—moringa (Moringa oleifera) and pumpkin and squash (Cucurbita spp.), one essential oil-yielding tree, sandalwood tree (Santalum spp.), and finally, honey bees (Apis mellifera). All the chapters have been prepared by different authors (35 of them), all specialists on the crops of the Pacific. The book is generously illustrated with more than 940 color images. The editor has not given any definition of speciality crops. From the contents, it is difficult to make also an intelligent guess as to what it could be. While about half to three-fourths of them may be crops of some significance to the region, it is difficult to understand the inclusion of some ‘crops’ like honey bees, koa, sandalwood tree, and tamanu. However, the editor has explained in the preface the manner of selection of these crops. They had conducted an extensive survey among various sections of the people to ascertain preference for crops that they considered to be economically, ecologically, and culturally sustainable for family farmers in the Pacific region. The choice was based on this. Broadly, all the chapters follow a common format. Most chapters include uses and products, botanical description, distribution, environmental preferences, growth and development, agroforestry and environmental services, propagation and planting, cultivation, pests and diseases, production and utilization markets, and bibliography. Almost all the chapters discuss the

123

374

place of the crop in the region and in the local agroforestry systems and also its potential ability for invasiveness. All the above aspects are discussed in detail in simple language in relation to the Pacific Ocean Islands. Though the book is addressed primarily to the innovative farmers, gardeners, and extension personnel, it will prove also useful to the scientific and

123

Agroforest Syst (2011) 83:373–374

technical personnel interested in tropical crops, especially because of the numerous color images given in the book, which will be informative for those unfamiliar with them. Incidentally, this book carries much semblance to another book brought out by the same agency, Traditional Trees for Pacific Islands (2006). This volume is recommended for regular use and reference. It is moderately priced.