Some of the Kava flooding our markets are not of good quality, says the Deputy Secretary for Agriculture Development Uraia Waibuta.

Mr Waibuta made this statement at the 2017 Northern Agriculture Show in Labasa.

He said this was because of the early harvest of yaqona plants by farmers.

“Normally it takes three to four years then we can harvest, but what is happening now even the one-and-half-old plants are being harvested and sold but we cannot blame the farmers for that because a market exists,” Mr Waibuta said.

“When there is a demand, people will supply. But what is being compromised is the quality that is coming into the market, so instead of those high quality kava, we are seeing kava with small roots which shows that they are not really mature, they are a bit fibrous.

“But again, hopefully this particular price will remain for the next two years that is when we hope to see some quality kava.”

He added it was the post-Tropical Cyclone Winston effect that led to the high demand and low supply of kava.

“The shortage of kava can be realised out there in the market. The price of Kava has really skyrocketed from the normal $30 per kg, it has gone up to 100-$110 retail price,” Mr Waibuta said

“This is the implication of TC Winston towards the farming community that cultivate kava.”

EDITED BY: IVAMERE NATARO