Vanuatu Minister of Agriculture, Ian Wilson, has announced an ambitious national target to plant 10 million new kava plants by 2030 as part of efforts to boost production.
Kava is usually planted one metre apart, so about 10,000 plants can grow on one hectare of land. To reach the goal of 10 million kava plants, it would need around 1000 hectares – about the size of 1429 soccer fields.
The kava target announced by the minister is an outcome of the national kava forum where farmers, exporters, and stakeholders were briefed on the government’s policy direction for the next five years.
The forum also discussed challenges faced by the industry and the way forward.
Unlike in previous years when it covered all islands, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Department (DARD) will now focus its efforts on boosting production only on Gaua, Santo, Maewo, Pentecost, Maewo, Epi, Efate, and Erromango.
The forum had discussed how to reach the target, highlighting key challenges, such as the shortage of male labor due to seasonal work abroad.
Minister Wilson said the forum showed that farmers are ready to take action.
He said they (farmers) want to turn their talk into real action.
“Because the forum was successful, the government will make it an annual event, held during Vanuatu Made,” he said.
Minister Wilson described kava as the most important and valued crop in Vanuatu.
He said kava is critical to both the culture and the government’s commitment to help communities grow and thrive.
He said the government will work with the Vanuatu Agricultural Research and Technical Centre (VARTC) and the kava industry to conduct research and testing of kava varieties, as part of a broader plan to improve quality and production standards.
“We will launch the revised Kava Strategy 2026–2030 and lead the Kava Working Group,” he announced.
“We will enforce the Kava Act and context standards, and we will work with the Ministry of Finance to make sure that revenue comes back to support the development of kava.”
The vision of Vanuatu’s kava strategy is to become the leading producer of quality kava in the Pacific and the world.
