PGR News from the Pacific

Posted 5:37 PM by Luigi

Kava and coconut in Vanuatu

Vanuatu chiefs own kava - not Bule and VCMB

By Hilaire Bule, Port Vila Presse, 30 May 2006.

Two chiefs of Batnapni and Melsisi in Central Pentecost said they totally disagree with the re-prescription and the monopoly imposed on kava by the government through Vanuatu Commodities Marketing Board (VCMB).

Chiefs Reuben Viredal and chief Chanel Molbung said that people of Pentecost had not been consulted by the minister for trade and commerce, Jame Bule and VCMB general manager, Georgy Calo, before the introduction of the kava on the list of prescribed commodity.

Chief Viredal and chief Molbung said that they are also convinced that other islands which grow kava plants are not aware of what is happening with their traditional beverage.

They say that people of Pentecost who represent the main suppliers of the product at local and international markets, should have a "say" in the future of kava.

"We are surprised that Mr Bule and Mr Calo want to take control of the market for kava. For us, the government is stealing the result of the sweat of the people in the village when they take over control of kava.

We chiefs own the kava and not Mr Bule and Mr Calo; and so far we don't see any financial assistance from the government to the farmers," said the two chiefs.

They believe that the current government policy on kava will not last long because it does not follow and respect custom and traditional rules.

For them, everything starts from the bottom and not from the top.

Chief Viredal and chief Molbung said that the current government policy on kava will not discourage the middle man as claimed by Mr Bule because VCMB is now taking over their role.

They said their people want to see the construction of a kava factory in Batnapni and control of the product given back to the farmers.

Concerning the introduction of kava on the list of Codex Alimentarius rules, the two chiefs said it is wise to consult the people in the islands before penalising them like the imposed government policy and the monopoly of the kava.

Batnapni is the main port on Pentecost and supplies approximately 200 bags of fresh and green kava, each week for more than 300 kava consumers and bars in Port Vila.

Vanuatu government eyes the export of coconut oil as fuel for motor vehicles

Radio NZ International, 30 May, 2006.

The Vanuatu government says its promotion of the local use of coconut fuel is groundwork for what it hopes will become a major international export product.

Trade Minister James Bule, who is encouraging farmers to replant their ageing plantations, is confident they can sell all the copra being produced in the country and maintain a stable price.
This follows a government announcement that it will run all its vehicles on one hundred percent coconut fuel from next month.

Mr Bule says the best way to secure the increase in the price of copra which farmers are demanding is to add value to the product.

He says they are already selling oil to the French-owned local electricity provider UNELCO.

“We are still in the early stage and we are testing it in the local markets... like in the Electricity supply of UNELCO. At this point in time, we are supplying 16-thousand litres a month. Progressively we are going to increase and over 5 years we will reach the target of supplying 100% biofuel to UNELCO."



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DIVA-GIS	Tuesday, May 30, 2006 Posted 5:37 PM by Luigi Kava and coconut in Vanuatu Vanuatu chiefs own kava - not Bule and VCMB By Hilaire Bule, Port Vila Presse, 30 May 2006. Two chiefs of Batnapni and Melsisi in Central Pentecost said they totally disagree with the re-prescription and the monopoly imposed on kava by the government through Vanuatu Commodities Marketing Board (VCMB). Chiefs Reuben Viredal and chief Chanel Molbung said that people of Pentecost had not been consulted by the minister for trade and commerce, Jame Bule and VCMB general manager, Georgy Calo, before the introduction of the kava on the list of prescribed commodity. Chief Viredal and chief Molbung said that they are also convinced that other islands which grow kava plants are not aware of what is happening with their traditional beverage. They say that people of Pentecost who represent the main suppliers of the product at local and international markets, should have a "say" in the future of kava. "We are surprised that Mr Bule and Mr Calo want to take control of the market for kava. For us, the government is stealing the result of the sweat of the people in the village when they take over control of kava. We chiefs own the kava and not Mr Bule and Mr Calo; and so far we don't see any financial assistance from the government to the farmers," said the two chiefs. They believe that the current government policy on kava will not last long because it does not follow and respect custom and traditional rules. For them, everything starts from the bottom and not from the top. Chief Viredal and chief Molbung said that the current government policy on kava will not discourage the middle man as claimed by Mr Bule because VCMB is now taking over their role. They said their people want to see the construction of a kava factory in Batnapni and control of the product given back to the farmers. Concerning the introduction of kava on the list of Codex Alimentarius rules, the two chiefs said it is wise to consult the people in the islands before penalising them like the imposed government policy and the monopoly of the kava. Batnapni is the main port on Pentecost and supplies approximately 200 bags of fresh and green kava, each week for more than 300 kava consumers and bars in Port Vila. Vanuatu government eyes the export of coconut oil as fuel for motor vehicles Radio NZ International, 30 May, 2006. The Vanuatu government says its promotion of the local use of coconut fuel is groundwork for what it hopes will become a major international export product. Trade Minister James Bule, who is encouraging farmers to replant their ageing plantations, is confident they can sell all the copra being produced in the country and maintain a stable price. This follows a government announcement that it will run all its vehicles on one hundred percent coconut fuel from next month. Mr Bule says the best way to secure the increase in the price of copra which farmers are demanding is to add value to the product. He says they are already selling oil to the French-owned local electricity provider UNELCO. “We are still in the early stage and we are testing it in the local markets... like in the Electricity supply of UNELCO. At this point in time, we are supplying 16-thousand litres a month. Progressively we are going to increase and over 5 years we will reach the target of supplying 100% biofuel to UNELCO." * Comments: Interesting post about kava.I read some articles about kava dieback disease.Is that problem under control? # posted by Anonymous : 1:44 PM It is definitely still a problem in many places. SPC is doing research on the subject. You can contact Richard Davis at RichardD@spc.int for information. # posted by Luigi : 1:59 PM Post a Comment	Archive October 2002 November 2002 December 2002 January 2003 February 2003 March 2003 April 2003 May 2003 June 2003 July 2003 August 2003 September 2003 October 2003 November 2003 December 2003 January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 January 2010 RSS Feed Alternative feed Contact Tevita Something new: Agrobiodiversity Weblog: For discussions of conservation and sustainable use of the genetic resources of crops, livestock and their wild relatives. 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