reconstruction of the iclard for habitation, very little food plants were
left.

In fact, no food plants were left on Enewetak Island and it will be

several years before the replanted trees produce.

The second reason is to

keep the people from eating food grown on the atoll until] the degree of risk
from plant uptake of radionuclides can be properly evaluated.
The people of Enewetak are provided 6 lbs. of food per person per day
according to a menu prepared to U.S.D.A. recommendations.

observation

suggests

the

people

are

not

eating what

Discussion and

the

nutritionist

recommends, but are selectively eating what they like from what is provided.
The

Division

of

Agriculture

in

the

Ministry

of

Resources

Development has recently initiated an agriculture experiment station
Laura on Majuro

gardening.

to

test

varieties

and

develop techniques

for

and
in

vegetable

They are also beginning to study pig and duck meat production.

Vegetables

which

have been

successfully grown

include cucumbers,

tomatoes, bell peppers, chili peppers, eggplant, onions, cabbage, chinese
cabbage, watermelon, green beans, radishes, and corn.

Since most people are

not accustomed to eating these, they are not currently incorporated into the
average diet.

Some people have made the argument that since most vegetables don't
grow well without good soil, and since organic matter to make good soil is
not readily available, there is not much point in encouraging people to try
to grow vegetables.

Others said methods should be used which rely solely on

locally available materials

i.e. no imported fertilizer etc.

If it is

considered important to add a greater variety of vegetables locally, then
thought must be given to agriculture development.
care

requires

imported

medicines

and

Development of health

equipment.

transportation requires imported vehicles and fuel.

Development

of

Therefore, it should be

accepted that development of agriculture requires imported soil, organic
matter, nutrients, seeds, pesticides, tools, and technology.
In conclusion, the people are getting a good supply of food.
no reports of hunger.

There are

Data from the Trust Territory Pacific Island 5 Year

Health Plan shows 6 deaths in 1977 related to nutritional deficiencies.
Only one hospital discharge in all the TTPI in 1977 was listed as caused by
avitaminoses and other nutritional deficiencies.

It must be recognized that

there is not an adequate record keeping system to correctly determine the
actual amount or causes of many illnesses.
involved but undetected.

Nutritional abnormalities may be

Local staples plus rice are readily available and

16

Select target paragraph3