kava

Kava produced from Madang ‘koniak’ is loved in Fiji

This was pointed out recently by sales representative from a kava processing company from Fiji called Niugini Kava whose popular market brand Kava Toks was showcased recently at the Madang Investment Summit.

 The company set up a stall at the Sugeng Aben Park near Madang Resort Hotel where it showcased products made from kava that originated from along the NCR in Madang.

An agent for Niugini Kava had been buying kava roots from smallholder farmers along the NCR and later shipping it overseas for processing and marketing.

Going under kava

Kava is a popular drink consumed in Pacific countries such as Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu, with variations on the ceremony surrounding its consumption.

But, in recent times, the narcotic's popularity outside the islands has grown and, with it, questions about how kava drinking mixes with contemporary life – in particular, driving.

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Study underway to examine kava's link to drink-driving

The study, which is the first of its kind, will use cognitive and driving simulation tests to assess driver fitness immediately after consuming significant amounts of kava.

 

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Vanuatu kava quality issues being addressed

The initiative comes in the wake of a recent scientific finding and European declaration that the traditional root drink is safe.

The coordinator of the FAO's awareness programme, Peter Napuat, has been conducting a week-long training and awareness programme about the plant.

He says there are many varieties of kava in Vanuatu compared to other countries in the region, and only ten varieties are suitable for local consumption and the export market.

Napuat says farmers need to be encouraged to only plant and sell those noble varieties.

Kava is safe, Ambassador Joy

The scientific study undertaken by the Belgium based firm Fratini Vergano has proved beyond reasonable doubt that kava has nothing to do with liver toxicity or heart related disease.

This was confirmed by Vanuatu's Ambassador to the European Union, Roy Mickey Joy, in an interview with Vanuatu Info Online.

Kava quality study in EU progresses towards defining a kava standard

The final touches on the study by the experts, Ambassador Roy Mickey Joy is convinced that the project has a good chance of success.