MOU to develop kava supply chain
FIJI Kava Ltd has partnered with iTaukei Trust Fund Board (TTFB) through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop Fiji Kava’s supply chain and relationships with commercial partners in Fiji.
According to a joint statement, Fiji Kava Ltd and TTFB under the MOU would provide access to desirable Noble Kava plantlet varieties.
It would also help local farmers transition to larger scale kava farming which meet Fiji Kava’s supply requirements.
The strategic partnership was stated to include the establishment of additional commercial nurseries in Fiji to grow and supply Noble Kava plantlets to contracted farmers.
The nurseries were expected to be run and managed by selected women’s groups, who would earn income from this project.
In addition, Fiji Kava Ltd would develop opportunities for vocational graduates of a local training centre, as vocational postgraduate fellows on Fiji Kava’s nucleus estate in Cawatara, Ovalau and other selected locations in the provinces of Bua, Cakaudrove and Lomaiviti as stated by the company.
The training centre was said to be a highly successful training institute, for young and aspiring farmers, with the farming of kava as a core component of the curriculum.
TTFB and Fiji Kava Ltd would also pilot the new arrangements in selected communities which had already been identified and if successful, the program would be rolled out to other provinces of Fiji.
It was envisaged that this will become a key part of Fiji Kava’s supply chain in the long term.
TTFB chief executive officer Aisake Taito said the relationship established with Fiji Kava satisfied one of their key pillars in their “Entrepreneurship framework, which links resource owners to private sectors with an established export markets like Fiji Kava”.
“This is an attempt to advance resource owners from subsistence-based agriculture to semi-subsistence and eventually on a commercial level,” he said.
“Over the last decade, kava farming has grown exponentially in Fiji. We would like to capitalise on this growth through developing a more sustainable kava industry.
“This partnership is expected to benefit women and youths via their increased involvement in the ‘kava value-chain’.”
It was stated that TTFB would also provide the relevant financial literacy training and advice the beneficiaries to better manage their income, to help improve their wellbeing.
Fiji Kava CEO Dr Anthony Noble added this MOU created a long-term relationship with a like-minded partner in TTFB, who had deep and established ties to the Fijian community.
“Creating shared value with the traditional users and growers of Noble Fijian Kava is key pillar of Fiji Kava’s success,” he said.
“Working with TTFB through the agreement will significantly strengthen the quality, volume and consistency of our supply, which will underpin the future growth of Fiji Kava’s ‘Noble Kava’ range of products across our global market.
“We continue to invest and focus on supply chain robustness through inventory management, commercial partnerships and geographical diversity.
“We also look forward to working with TTFB along with our existing partner PHAMA Plus to continue strengthening our connection with our network of contracted farmers in Fiji and to help grow their local operations through additional training and infrastructure, which will deliver long-lasting economic and social benefits to thousands of Fijian farmers.”