Page 18 - IB FEB 2017

Lifestyle

Bad kava ‘not good for sex’ n From PAGE 17
“If Fiji can successfully do this, we can see
a rapid growth in kava export and dominate
KADAVU farmer Maikeli Vugakoto, Islands Business. the international kava export market.”
of Nakasaleka Village, praised the “Planting yaqona is hard work and Yee said the kava legislation should “pro-
proposed ban against two-day kava, takes a lot of sacrifice and up to five vide a guideline for everyone involved in the
saying it spoilt their business and long years before we harvest and get industry from farmers to exporters and will
made men sexually dysfunctional. paid. therefore benefit everyone in the long term”.
“Drinking Vanuatu kava makes us “The Bill will ensure good prices He said Fiji kava has the potential to be the
lethargic. We, men, become lazy and for our crops. It guarantees a good best in the world.
non-responsive in bed,” he said. education for our children and will “We have all the desired kava varieties
Vugakoto said farmers on the island help us meet our lotu and traditional which researchers have confirmed safe for
looked forward to the Bill. obligations.” human consumption.
“Our prayers have been answered. Under current market prices, kava Yee said Fiji has the right climate, soil and
In the past, we, farmers, used to be sells for up to F$80 a kilogram. land mass to produce quality kava.
ripped off by middlemen,” he told n ilaitia.turagabeci@gmail.com “Young farmers should be urged to plant
more kava because the demand for kava is
Uproar over kava-drinking women growing internationally and it will continue
to grow. But we have to rectify poor practices
and emphasise on improving our quality
standard. This has to start from farmers,
“It is vital that they take the harvesting,
cleaning and drying process very seriously
because it is the most critical part in guaran-
tying a high quality kava. It doesn’t matter
if the kava is cultivated on rich soil, is ma-
tured or from a good variety but if it is not
dried properly right after harvesting then the
quality will start to deteriorate and once the
quality is tainted at this stage it can never
be reclaimed.
“If we learn now to adopt and maintain
good farming practices it will lead to buyers’
trust, increase demand and a better price for
our kava. If we can improve on these few
things then the Fiji kava industry can take
full advantage of the growing international
Fiji’s kava-drinking women have come under the spotlight. Photo: File kava market.”
Veretawatini said in the US, where Fiji’s
WOMEN’s advocates have lashed out men, but this problem of excessive kava export was valued at $3,776,359.00
at criticism against kava-drinking consumption is by far more common in 2015, kava is readily available.
women who beat men at their own among men all across the country.” Consumers can buy kava supplements in
past-time. “And women who do drink kava the form of capsules, tablets, liquid extracts,
The Deputy Secretary of iTaukei usually still ensure they do their sprays and tea bags as an herbal remedy to
Affairs Board, Saimoni Waibuta, was share of work around the home and aid relaxation and to combat stress, anxiety,
quoted as highlighting the supposed in the village. When men spend time and insomnia. Kava supplements can easily
concern about the over-consumption away from their family responsibili- be bought at any health food store or online.
of kava by women in villages. ties drinking kava for hours on end, Studies consistently find kava as effec-
Mr Waibuta’s comments emerged it is the women who bear double tive as prescription medications for treating
from a meeting for all Roko Tui regard- the burden through their increased anxiety, generalised anxiety disorder, and
ing proposed village by-laws. workload.” depression — without the side effects. It also
“While Mr Waibuta did say the is- Ms Ali said even allowing for any shows potential for treating substance abuse
sue of excessive kava drinking also possible loss of nuance in the report- of all kinds, from tobacco to heroin.
involved men, it is curious that the ing of the Mr Waibuta’s remarks, it With kava bars springing up in some US
burden of blame for this problem is misleading to claim that the over- cities where kava can be shared communally
should be put on women,” said Fiji consumption of kava by women is with friends, replicating the traditional ex-
Women’s Crisis Centre co-ordinator a trend. “Such comments reflect the perience, Veretawatini said it was important
Shamima Ali. gender inequalities in society that we that exporters lived up to quality standards
“If excessive kava drinking is a constantly speak about. Women are to safeguard the industry.
problem, any by-laws should apply criticised as ‘bad women’ the moment “When our international market gets the
equally to men and women.” they dare to do something society quality they expect, everyone benefits.”
“Yes, there are some women who deems out of bounds for them.” n ilaitia.turagabeci@gmail.com
love kava and drink as much as n Invictus News and Features Service

18 Islands Business, February 2017