Samoa Herbs

The kava market in Samoa is domestically focused and highly decentralised. Little kava is exported, and that which is exported is generally the same quality as the local product. MDF is partnering with Samoa Herbs, a Samoan kava exporter established in 2019, to increase exports of high-quality kava from Samoa. This will be accomplished through the implementation of extension services, the acquisition of new processing equipment, and marketing initiatives to attract new international buyers.

Climate projections for Samoa indicate a future of increased temperatures, more frequent extreme rainfall, and more intense cyclones. These altered climatic conditions will likely impact Samoa’s kava market. High temperatures and variable rainfall are usually not ideal for kava growing and intense cyclones are likely to increase crop loss.

Samoa Herbs has developed a kava growing guide and extension materials to help farmers increase kava production and quality. The kava growing guide includes information on climate adaptation and resilience which will help farmers minimise damage and loss, such as taking proactive measures before a cyclone and planting specific trees in between kava plants to protect them from the sun and wind. It will also help farmers minimise damage to the soil while growing kava which could make their land more vulnerable to climate change impacts. The kava growing guide will be utilised by extension workers of both Samoa Herbs and the Government of Samoa Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to train farmers on climate-sensitive kava growing practices.