Fiji Explores Kava Opportunities

While Kava as a beverage is Fiji’s way to numb the mind, research is underway to explore opportuni­ties it has as nutraceutical products.

The Pacific Horticulture and Agriculture Market Access Plus Programme (PHAMA Plus) and the Fiji National University (FNU) are working together to provide a comprehensive report about Kava, and its opportunities in the trade market.

The research, which commenced on Thurs­day will provide chemotype data to identify products from different localities with spe­cific characteristics.

The report is to understand the factors that influence the strength, efficacy and other organic opportunities of the lucra­tive commodity, which include soil type and climatic conditions on kavalactone content.

Kavalactones are the chemical compounds present in kava from which their relaxant properties are deprived.

The partnership will explore the idea to es­tablish a kava fingerprint, which would link a particular variety and area with certain combination of kavalactone levels.

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Story By: josefa.babitu@fijisun.com