Kolombangara Farmers Equipped With Expertise to Produce Quality Kava Products

Spread the love

A training that equipped Kava farmers on Kolombangara Island with the required knowledge and skills to produce quality kava products for export market was held on 23 and 24 August 2021 at Ringi in the Western Province.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) through its Extension Department supported and conducted the training alongside an experienced and lead kava grower from South Vella La Vella under MAL Export Crop Programme.

Lead farmer Mr. Paatrick Soruevo during the practical session. Photo: Supplied.

Focused on hands-on practical sessions, the two-day training covered Kava harvesting, processing and sun drying procedures with the ambition to support existing and interested Kava growers around Ringi area on Kolombangara Island to engage into proper Kava processing procedures, for improved, quality and marketable Kava product outputs for export.

Total of 22 farmers from ward 12 around Ringi area participated in the training.

“This training is important for Kava farmers to meet and produce quality kava product for export marketing. Kava product demand is high locally and overseas, therefore need more attention on processing procedures,” MAL Chief Field Officer for Western Province Sipuru Rove said.

Placing the cleaned pieces of lateral roots and basal chips on a sheet of iron and plastic for drying under the sun. Photo: Supplied.

He said more kava processing trainings is planned and will be conducted in Kava growing areas in the province in due time.

Mr. Rove while acknowledging participants for their participation said that many has acquired a lot of new and useful information during the practical activities where they said would certainly help them boost their farming activities especially in kava production.

Mr. Rove thanked MAL through its Extension Department for its continuous support towards Western Province Extension Division activities and programs and also acknowledged lead Kava trainer Mr. Patrick Soruevo for experiences and knowledge shared.

Separating Basal roots from Lateral roots as sorted into two categories. Photo: Supplied.

Members and Extension Officers involved in the training are; Patrick Soruevo, Lead Kava Trainer, Jayson Soruevo, Kava trainer, Joseph Lui, Research Officer – Ringi, Natasha Kilo, Extension Officer, and Francis Tulo, Extension Officer.

Source: MAL Media


Spread the love
Default image
News Desk
Articles: 232

Leave a Reply