Page 11 - Islands Business March 2023

Ms Moana Sapai of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) speaking at the Pacific Week of
Agriculture kava side-event.
Pacific Kava: Rooting the industry in exports
The potential for kava exports to major markets in North America, Asia
and the European Union was explored during the “Pacific Kava: Rooting
the industry in exports” event.
The event was organised by SPC in partnership with the Pacific Is-
lands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and funded through SAFE Pacific.
At the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry opening with SPC Land Resources Director Karen Mapusua, Fiji Cabinet Ministers, Pacific government representatives, Momo Na Tui Nadi, Ratu
Vuniani Navuniuci and key partner representatives from FAO and EU. The session brought together public and private sector stakeholders,
Pacific government representatives, non-governmental organisations,
farmers and exporters from across the region. An organised panel pro- The traditional opening ceremony at the Pacific Week of Agriculture with chief guests:, Fiji
vided a space to reflect on the progress of the kava sector nationally, with Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Cooperatives, SMEs and Communications Manoa
Kamikamica, Momo Na Tui Nadi, Ratu Vuniani Navuniuci and Niue Honourable Esa Sharon-Mona
EU highlights commitment to improving regional several Pacific countries reporting on their current kava status, as well Faitala Ainu’u.
as regionally.
During the opening address, Assistant Minister-Office of the Prime
trade at Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry Minister for Fiji Sakiusa Tubuna said kava is a significant commodity for
the Pacific Islands culturally, socially and economically.
“Today, the interest in kava is not exclusive to Pacific people. There’s
been a transition over the past few decades, where the plant has become Eighth Regional Meeting of the Heads of Agriculture and Forestry
Managing Agricultural Risks to enhance Pacific Agritrade a growing export commodity. We’ve seen this Pacific plant go beyond Services
The “Managing Agricultural Risks to enhance Pacific Agritrade” event Toward the end of the week, the EU affirmed its commitment to support
being a cultural beverage - with kava-infused food and even entry into
was opened by Fiji’s Minister for Agriculture and Waterways Hon. Vatimi pharmaceuticals.” the region’s fight against climate change and to promote sustainable food
Rayalu, who said, “This discussion on managing agricultural risks comes systems through a presentation by EU Programme Manager Mr. Alejan-
Samoa kava exporter Eddie Wilson said it was important to look at past
at a crucial time as the Pacific works towards COVID-19 recovery. As experiences when European markets first banned kava and the current dro Matos-Lopez at the regional meeting of Pacific Heads of Agriculture
the Pacific, we understand our context clearly - the potential we have for regional effort to regain market access by improving local kava standards and Forestry Services.
trade with our rich resources, the existing barriers we face because of our “Agriculture represents one of the main sources of employment and
for processing and exporting it as a safe food commodity.
geographical location and socio-economic history and politics.” “The success of the kava was because we had huge markets for kava livelihoods in the Pacific region, especially in rural and more vulnerable
The Minister acknowledged the support of the EU through the SAFE areas,” said Matos-Lopez. “Moreover, Pacific Island Countries and Terri-
extract and medicinal markets. The future lies in working with our part-
Pacific project and reiterated the need for a robust regional approach to ners, the European Union and Germany and promote kava extracts in tories live on the frontline of climate change and have described it as the
Disaster Risk Reduction in agriculture. the medicinal markets and increase recognition of kava as a safe com- single greatest existential threat facing the Blue Pacific”.
Event participants discussed Pacific agriculture sector DRR knowledge He said increased natural disasters would significantly impact Pacific
modity.”
gaps, solutions and strategies to reduce agricultural value chain risks and The event served as the announcement of a Regional Kava Strategy ecosystems, water resources, agriculture and fisheries.
potential ways forward for regional approaches to improve resilience. The EU presence at PWAF 2023 highlighted three areas of support
launch, that will take place in July. Strategy development is being led
SPC also addressed pest and disease risks in the region, focusing by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, and includes plans to organise for the Pacific.
on the upcoming 17th Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands, in kava strategic working group meetings that will be followed by regional The EU provides budget support for vital Pacific based programmes
November of this year.
Fiji Minister for Agriculture and Waterways Hon Vatimi Rayalu, EU Delegation rep Mr. Alejandro socialization. through the the Governments of Fiji, Vanuatu, and later in 2023 Tuvalu,
Matos-Lopez and SPC Land Resources Division (LRD) Director Ms. Karen Mapusua. A joint call by SPC, the Pacific Plant Protection Organisation (PPPO) to implement their agriculture policies and promote climate-smart agricul-
and Biosecurity Solomon Islands (BSI) urged countries to ensure that ture practices and sustainable food systems.
Nadi, Fiji biosecurity travel precautions for the Pacific Games are met to prevent The EU also promotes Pacific agri-trade, the strengthening Sanitary
The EU SAFE Pacific (Safe Agricultural Trade and Facilitation through pest and disease entry and spread into the region. and Phytosanitary measures, and conservation of local ecosystems in
Economic Integration) project played an integral role in the Pacific Week Through the SAFE Pacific project, SPC has planned biosecurity sur- partnership with regional and UN agencies.
of Agriculture and Forestry (PWAF) held from 6 – 10 March in Nadi, Fiji veillance activities for priority pests pre- and post-games, including mon- Finally, the EU provides direct support to farmers and farmer organisa-
through events focused on strengthening agricultural value chains. itoring and detection. In addition, animal health and production will be tions through programmes with civil society organisations that follow an
Held biennially, PWAF is the premier event for charting the future of strengthened through organised training on food hygiene and safety. inclusive approach by promoting the role of women and youth in agricul-
agriculture and forestry in the Pacific region. In addition to three days of Awareness materials will be distributed, and screening and inspection ture, organic agriculture and agroforestry systems.
side events, the week also featured the 8th Pacific Heads of Agriculture will be increased closer to the games. During the week, PWAF participants, including Pacific government rep-
and Forestry meeting, in addition to the 3rd Pacific Ministers of Agricul- SPC is also carrying out an active awareness campaign on Foot and resentatives and Ministers, found SAFE Pacific awareness materials and
ture and Forestry meeting. The five day event brought together Pacific Mouth Disease (an animal disease that infects cloven-hoofed animals) information at the SPC booth.
governments, NGOs, community-based organisations and the private and is working to prevent and stop incursions. Through SAFE Pacific, SAFE Pacific is part of the larger EU-funded ‘Pacific Regional Inte-
sector and was hosted by the Government of Fiji, with management sup- the FMD Awareness pull-up banners are being displayed at international gration Support’ (PRISE) programme implemented in 15 Pacific ACP
port from the Pacific Community (SPC) and Food and Agriculture Organ- airports in Fiji, Samoa and the Solomon Islands, with plans to extend this (African, Caribbean, Pacific) States: the Cook Islands, Federated States
ization of the United Nations (FAO). to the remaining targeted countries: Cook Islands, Federated States of of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Re-
SAFE Pacific hosted two events during the week that looked forward Micronesia (FSM), Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua public of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tonga,
to stronger and more resilient agriculture in the region after three-years New Guinea, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. EU Alejandro Matos-Lopez speaking at the Regional Pacific Heads of Agriculture and Forestry Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
Services (HOAFS).
of COVID-19 disruption.
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