Land owners earn over $33.27 million since 2008

More than 1600 landowning units have earned about $33.27 million in rent subsidy since 2008.

This is after the establishment of the Committee on Better Utilization of Land initiated by Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama.

After the formation of CBUL the rate of Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Act lease renewals increased to 80 per cent in 2013 from 43 per cent in 1997.

The objective of CBUL is to ensure expired ALTA leases are renewed for sugarcane farming and to allow landowners and farmers achieve a higher return through the conversion of land into productive agricultural and commercial use.

The Prime Minister said more agricultural leases than ever were now being renewed with landowners realizing the advantages of re-leasing their land.
 
One of the biggest landowning units in Tavua, Navusabalavu has seen better returns from their land after re-leasing it to farmer for sugarcane farming.

Navusabalavu landowning unit head, Manasa Naiceru said they have 100 per cent renewals for their sugarcane farming land in Tagitagi, Yasiyasi, Toko and Vatia in Tavua.

Naiceru said they successfully renewed more than 80 leases with 189 sugarcane farmers leasing Navusabalavu land.

Meanwhile Permanent Secretary for Sugar, Manasa Vaniqi said more than 6000 cane farmers in the Western and Northern Division have benefitted under the CBUL.

Story By: Tokasa Rainima