Kava farmer calls for direct talks, says middlemen put their interests first

November 6, 2025 10:13 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Hilaire Bule.

Petro Bulevahka, a kava farmer from Central Pentecost, has welcomed the government’s initiative to plant 10 million kava plants by 2030 but urged officials to engage directly with farmers rather than middlemen.

“If the government is serious about addressing the current kava shortage, officials need to visit the main islands where kava is produced and speak with the farmers to understand their real challenges and find solutions,” Bulevahka said.

He added that middlemen cannot represent farmers in forums because they are not the ones working the land. “Middlemen will defend their own interests before those of the farmers,” he said.

Bulevahka noted that essential information often fails to reach farmers because middlemen do not always pass it on.

The farmer said he was not convinced that the challenges faced by growers were properly addressed in the last two Vanuatu Commodities forums. “Direct talks and contact with farmers will encourage more people to plant kava,” he said.

Bulevahka also referred to reports that the value of kava exports is around VT6 million per year, emphasising that the government should invest more in developing kava production on the islands.

“Without farmers, Vanuatu will not achieve that export value, and there will be no factories or kava bars in the country,” he said.

He welcomed the statement by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, and Biosecurity, Ian Wilson, for the ministry and department to have their own fleet to build new feeder roads on the islands.

Bulevahka said that on Pentecost, there is plenty of kava and more land to plant, but farmers need proper roads to make expansion possible.