Adapting to Change: The Dynamic Crop Production Systems of Smallholder Farmers in the PNG Highlands

Smallholder sweet potato farmers in Papua New Guinea's Eastern Highlands Province (EHP) face challenges as they navigate social, economic, demographic, and environmental change. While they routinely adapt to weather variability and shifting markets, population growth is placing additional strain on an already finely balanced farming system. This study shows that farmers' decisions are shaped not only by agricultural considerations but also by the interconnectedness of social, economic, and biophysical factors, highlighting the risks of addressing single issues in isolation. Although agricultural intensification may be a necessary response to population pressures, it can come at a cost. Moving to a higher‐input approach can unsettle the smallholder farmer's system and risk undermining their resilience.