Butterfly Farming in Gumi, Papua New Guinea

Wildlife farming has conservation and development objectives, but is often controversial. If wild animal populations remain in an open-access state, overharvest is likely. This research analyse goliath butterfly farming in the village Gumi, the largest source, in Papua New Guinea. Butterfly farming entails attracting gravid butterflies to modified habitat and collecting a portion. Interactions between farmers are mediated by their location decision. This interaction is tested indirectly through impacts on harvest levels of other farms. An econometric model incorporating harvest levels, effort and prices is estimated. The results support farmers locating sites far enough apart to eliminate potential interactions. This overcomes any potential open-access problem. This conclusion is strengthened by the absence of regulatory and customary mechanisms to achieve this outcome.