Picture: Bua farmers at the Quality Standards Farmer Training targeting kava farmers in Saolo Wainunu in  Bua.

Challenges faced by the kava industry and the ongoing work towards developing the industry into a billion dollar one were discussed by the National Kava Task Force Committee in its meeting in Savusavu on Friday (4.9.20). 

The meeting took place on the back of the successful conclusion of the two-day ‘Quality Standard Farmers Training’ for kava farmers in Saolo Village, in the district of Wainunu of the province of Bua earlier last week (2-3.9.20).  

In opening the Task Force Committee meeting, Ministry of Agriculture Acting Chief Economist, Ms Sera Bose who officiated on behalf of the Chairman, the Permanent Secretary of Agriculture said Government fully supported the kava industry and looked forward to developing it further. 

Kava farmers who attended the Saolo training were informed that the country exported $32.4m last year. However, over $300m was spent locally. 

The training included awareness on the scientific aspect of the kava plant, diseases that affected it, effects of chemicals, options of inter-cropping, requirements by Biosecurity Authority of Fiji in terms of exports, requirements by Fiji Revenue Customs Service of setting up of SMEs, financial literacy by BSP Bank, and exporter requirements from farmers on quality of kava.  

The farmers training have already been conducted in the major kava-producing provinces of Kadavu, Lomaiviti, and Cakaudrove. 

The National Kava Task Force Committee is made up of stakeholders from both the public and private sector. They are Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Biosecurity Authority of Fiji, University of the South Pacific, SPC, PHAMA, Farmers Representatives, Advisers and exporters – Lami Kava, Green Gold, and Fiji Kava. 

-ENDS-

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