Day 2 of the national validation workshop for the for the establishment of a geographical indication (GI) on Vanuatu kava concluded yesterday, the 18th of November with major advancement in finalizing the book of specifications, a key document that will guide the protection, production and marketing of Vanuatu’s iconic kava under GI framework.

Hosted by Vanuatu intellectual property office, the session brought together kava farmers, producers, exporters, technical specialist and representatives from relevant government bodies. Their active participation ensured that the specification reflect both traditional knowledge and modern best practices, while maintaining integrity and reputation of Vanuatu kava on international market.

Throughout the day, participants engaged in detailed discussions and contributed technical and practical insights across various areas including:

Planting materials: defining eligible kava varieties, propagation methods, and standards for quality planting stocks.

Field management: establishing requirements for weed control and sustainable cultivation practices.

Pest and diseases management: outlining acceptable control measures to maintain crop health while preserving product purity.

Production methods: setting clear controls on cultivation, harvesting, and processing technique that aligns with traditional and scientifically validated methods.

Product control: determining quality parameters for both green and dried kava, ensuring consistency and traceability

Traceability: designing a system that tracks kava from farm to export, strengthening transparency and trust in Vanuatu kava and from farmer and exporter.

Harvest and post harvest practices: standardizing harvesting times, handling methods, drying practices, and storage conditions.

Sanctions: agreeing on mechanisms to address non compliance and protect the GI’s credibility.

Labelling requirements: proposing labelling standards that will identify authentic Vanuatu GI-certified kava in international market.

“The progress made today reflects our shared determination to protect the identity and quality of Vanuatu kava. The GI will not only strengthen market access but also ensure that the benefits flow directly to our farmers and communities” Mr John Huri, kava consultant at VIPO stated.

By the end of day 2, a site visitation was made to Mrs Rose Merry’s kava processing site at Holen tank, where she showed participants how she processes kava before exporting, through out the visit she strongly emphasised hygiene standards as it will impact the quality of the kava product.

VIPO expressed appreciation for the level of collaboration and the commitment shown by industry stakeholders towards safeguarding the cultural economy and agricultural value of Vanuatu kava. The validation process will continue in the coming days with further consultations to finalize all requirements before the official GI application is submitted.