$6 million has been paid to landowners who lease their land to Fiji Pine Limited, bringing the total payout of $48.5 million paid as dividends to landowners in the last 13 years.
The FPL says this is a clear demonstration of their resilience and dedication.
They say that with valuable support from the Australian and New Zealand governments, various species were researched and planted, among which pine proved to be the most successful.
The Association says its primary objective was to address environmental concerns on degraded lands on the western side of Viti Levu, which are vulnerable to wildfires and soil erosion and unsuitable for agricultural use.
FPL says they proudly collaborate with landowners, empowering them to engage in nursery operations, planting, maintenance, and harvesting—a true reflection of our commitment to community involvement.
They say their revenue, primarily from log sales to the subsidiaries, supports the landowners and the local economy.
They reiterate that the FPL continues to provide tangible benefits to landowners in various forms, from lease premiums paid at the time of land leasing to annual lease rentals provided bi-annually, stumpage payments upon forest harvesting, and through the Landowner Community Development Fund, which supports landowner-based community projects.
