Gov’t needs to work with serious kava farmers: DG Tumukon

June 12, 2025 10:34 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Kizzy Kalsakau & Anita Roberts.

The government needs to start working with kava farmers who are serious about increasing production and meet growing demand, said the Director General (DG) of the Ministry of Agriculture.

DG Timothy Tumukon said that if local farmers are not serious, the government would open the door to foreigners to help increase production.

“It’s one of the strategies the government is working on. This is a message to our farmers: if you want kava to remain one of our own crops, then you must be serious with the government,” he said.

The government has been encouraging the private sector to take lead in developing the country’s kava industry, however there is still a significant shortage of kava, stressed the DG.

One main reason for the shortage is that many local workers go overseas for seasonal jobs, leaving farms short of labor force and slowing down planting and harvesting, he said.

Another reason is that there is a long growing time for plants to mature.

“Talk to any exporter and they will tell you the same thing-there is not enough kava to buy. Some exporters in Santo can buy 4 to 5 tonnes a day. It takes 3 to 5 years for a kava plant to mature. The market demands large quantities, but we are falling short,” he said.

The DG said that an active programme was implemented by the ministry some years ago to promote the distribution of kava cuttings between regions. Since then, kava production in some islands had increased, but most of those kava plants have now been harvested.

“Where are the planting materials that farmers from the government some years ago? What have they done with them? If they have been using them, then there is no need for the government to step in. But if they have not replanted, then we need to work with them.

“Maybe we are working with the wrong farmers. Those who leave for seasonal work and are not fully committed. We need to focus on farmers who are serious, who stay in the country, and who are willing to plant and harvest consistently.

“We (the government) needs to take a serious look at who we should be working with in this space,” he said.

Mr. Tumukon added that the budget allocated to boost kava production is not enough, but the government is working on strategies to encourage local workers to remain in the country and contribute to growing the economy.