Kava Coalition Concludes Strategic Mission to Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Fiji, Advancing Regional Agricultural Development and Kava Sector Resilience
The Kava Coalition, headed by Executive Director Douglas La Rose, has completed a multi-country mission across the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Fiji, engaging government ministries, research institutions, private-sector leaders, and farming communities to advance coordinated efforts in agricultural development, quality improvement, and international market access for Pacific kava. The mission resulted in strengthened regional partnerships, expanded farmer engagement, enhanced research collaboration, and new planning frameworks to support resilient and inclusive kava production.
Strengthening Kava Production in the Solomon Islands
KC’s visit to the Solomon Islands included extensive fieldwork in the Western Provinces, Honiara, and Malaita, meeting with government officials, kava buyers, lead farmers, and youth groups. The Coalition also engaged with key sector leaders.
Key Findings and Achievements
Malaita emerged as the country’s strongest kava-producing region, with disciplined post-harvest handling, strong farmer organization, and innovative agroforestry systems.
Farmers across the Western and Malaita Provinces are eager to expand production, but face challenges related to drying infrastructure, quality incentives, and transportation.
Youth groups in Malaita are increasingly entering the sector, demonstrating enthusiasm for agronomy, agroforestry, and income generation.
Provincial representatives highlighted the importance of improved nurseries, training hubs, and extension support.
KC’s Ongoing Role in the Solomon Islands
KC is committed to deepening relationships with farmers, private-sector buyers, provincial authorities, and government ministries to co-create practical, community-led solutions. Rather than introducing predefined programs, KC will continue supporting collaborative approaches to expanding nurseries, strengthening farmer training, improving drying systems, enhancing youth engagement, and advancing quality-centered production approaches across the Solomon Islands.
Policy Engagement and Sector Coordination in Vanuatu
In Vanuatu, KC met with leading scientists, policy bodies, and regulatory authorities, including Dr. Vincent Lebot, the Vanuatu Bureau of Standards (VBS), and national biosecurity agencies.
Major Themes
Dr. Lebot highlighted the need for coordinated international advocacy to reinforce global recognition of kava’s safety and legitimacy.
Discussions emphasized the importance of tissue culture, cultivar preservation, farmer training in traditional agroecology, and development of value-added kava products.
Biosecurity highlighted ongoing needs in testing capacity, exporter oversight, and standards aligned with international markets.
These engagements deepened KC’s role as a technical and neutral facilitator across government, private-sector, and research institutions.
Advancing Agricultural and Market Coordination in Fiji
KC’s Fiji engagements included meetings with the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways (MoAW), the Ministry of Trade, USP, MDF, exporters, processors, and farmer leaders.
Key Issues Identified
Kava Dieback Disease continues to pose significant threats to Fiji’s production and requires coordinated research and extension support.
Soil fertility decline, monocropping, and limited access to clean planting material hinder long-term productivity.
Youth participation in agriculture remains low, requiring new incentive structures and narratives that elevate agriculture as a viable profession.
Updated Concrete Outcomes
KC is discussing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways and the Ministry of Trade to share quarterly market survey results and strengthen collaboration on kava quality improvement and export readiness.
KC is committed to collaborating with Market Development Facility on co-developing extension materials and farmer training modules focused on:
Kava dieback disease and best agricultural practices
Processing and contamination reduction
Youth engagement and farmer incentives
KC will continue working with government partners and Pacific institutions to support a 2026 Pacific Kava Symposium to be hosted in Fiji.
KC held productive discussions with University of the South Pacific on collaboration in toxicology, soil chemistry, tissue culture, and market access research.
Regional Alignment and Market Access Advocacy
Across all three countries, KC strengthened partnerships with Pacific Island Forum Secretariat, national ministries, biosecurity agencies, universities, private-sector exporters, processors, and farmer associations. These engagements underscore the region’s shared commitment to improving agricultural production, strengthening standards, expanding market access, and building resilient livelihoods.
A Unified Vision for the Pacific Kava Sector
From nurseries in Malaita to standards development in Vanuatu and collaborative planning in Fiji, the mission marks a new phase of regional coordination. Under the leadership of Douglas La Rose, the Kava Coalition is deepening its role as a partner to Pacific governments, farmers, and industry stakeholders - working to build a more resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive kava sector.