Pentecost has potential for 10 million kava plants

April 6, 2026 11:47 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Hilaire Bule.

Chief Derick Leona, a kava buyer on Pentecost, says the island has the potential to reach the government target of 10 million kava plants by 2030.

Speaking to the Daily Post last Thursday while drying kava for export, he said farmers on the island have the knowledge and experience to meet the government program under the Ministry of Agriculture, but more feeder roads are needed.

Chief Leona estimates that Pentecost may already have 10 million kava plants. However, there is a lack of reliable data to confirm how many plants are in gardens and how many are harvested daily and weekly for local and international markets.

“To maintain supply and meet demand, the government must build more feeder roads to connect the west and east of the island,” he said.

Currently, the only feeder roads to the western side of Pentecost are at Satin Bay in the north and Ranwas in the south.

The eastern side has fertile land with high potential for kava cultivation compared to the already populated west. Transporting the product to the west remains a challenge. The only alternative is by sea, but ships service this part of the island only during good weather. Chief Leona said the road linking Central Pentecost 1 to the north is in poor condition.

He welcomed plans for road infrastructure, including tar-sealed roads, but said feeder roads remain the priority for kava farmers.

Chief Leona also raised concerns about Ni-Vanuatu sent to seasonal work programs in Australia and New Zealand. The chief said these citizens are sent to work on lands that are not theirs, and it would be better for them to develop their own land to realise its true value.

“It is good that Vanuatu nationals are sent abroad, but they must return to develop their own lands,” he said.

Chief Leona said the seasonal work program is contributing to the reduction of kava farmers on the island.