Kava farmers from Kadavu were reminded of the importance of their contributions to the agriculture sector during a training in Namuana Village.

The training, which focused on innovative farming practices, improving quality and processing, and marketing opportunities for the export of kava aims to inform farmers of the current status of the kava industry.

While addressing over 60 training participants, Director Crop Extension, Paula Tuione stressed the importance of farmers working with the agriculture ministry to ensure the continued growth of the sector on the island.

Farmers were also informed about the different kava varieties, the current export status, and the management of the yaqona dieback disease.

Yaqona Taskforce Committee members were also present during the training and farmers had the opportunity to meet members of the taskforce who were experts in the kava value chain.

Over the last decade, Fiji’s Kava exports averaged 218 tonnes per annum and was valued at more than $6.6million, with Fiji’s kava export volume in 2017 as compared to 2016 increasing by 52tonnes, an increase of 20 percent from the previous year.

Kadavu is a major kava-growing area with over 80 percent of all households in the province involved in kava farming.