Mala tops 1st kava export, 1 Kwara’ae farmer tops earning by netting $53,000

Malaita Province is now the leading kava producer in the country as they contributed to more than half of the first container of kava that has been exported today.

Kava buyer and exporter managing director of Kubonitu Holding, Dudley Longamei, said Malaita is now the main producer of kava, followed by Isabel and Temotu— then others.

He said most of the kava he bought which filled the first container that is now been exported came from Malaita.

“Just last week I spent about half a million on kava from Malaita alone,” said Longamei.

“I am happy and I can say that Malaita is now the leader in kava production in our country,” he said.

Longamei said amongst them is one male farmer from Kwara’ae region whom on two occasion earned $53,000 and $32,000 respectively.

“Others got $10,000 and $20,000 but this old man got very good money for his kava,” said Longomei.

Kubonitu is buying kava at $250 a kilo.

According to Longamei on average, a kava root (one bottom) is averaged between 3.5 to 4 kilos.

He said with one bottom, each farmer could easily earn $1,000.

News@SBMOnline2020