150 participants attend kava farmers training
AS many as 150 farmers and stakeholders took part in the kava farmers training held at Bukuya Village in Ba on Monday.
The two-day training was attended by farmers from as far Navatusila district and Nalawa in Ra.
Representatives from the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF), Fiji Crop and Livestock Council (FCLC), Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) and the Fiji Development Bank enlightened farmers on the various laws, programs as well as assistance in place.
Farmers were also encouraged to move up to the next level of farming and invest money into further expansion of their farming programs.
Kesaia Nayara, 34, a seasoned kava grower from Nasivikoso Village, in Ba acknowledged the Ministry of Agriculture for the training and the ideas presented to her.
“These are services and advice that we would often have to travel far to obtain and the two days training has enabled us to meet them here in person,” she said.
Ms Nayara said she was now determined to expand her farm in the next few years.
“Last year, I harvested $20,000 worth of kava and built my brick house in the village.”
Representatives from the Pacific Horticultural & Agricultural Market Access Plus Program (PHAMA Plus), Pacific Community (SPC) and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) also presented on the supporting roles they play with regards to growing the kava sector in Fiji and around the Pacific region.
Fiji has 13 noble varieties of kava which has been verified as good for human consumption and excellent for the export markets.