Minister for Agriculture Tomasi Tunabuna says 850 leases have been renewed through the assistance of the government while about 40 sugarcane farm leases in the Northern Division have not been renewed, impacting the amount of sugarcane that is being sent to the mill.
This comes as some farmers in the Northern Division have been told that their leases have not been renewed and are left with no source of income.
While speaking to fijivillage News, Tunabuna says all these declines are contributing to the lower yield we expect from the industry’s growth.
He says they have set specific targets based on projected growth calculations.
The Minister says growth was expected over the past two years, even though last year we were unable to harvest sugarcane due to the mill breakdown in Ba.
He says the Ministry is also looking at ways to mitigate the effects of climate change, as it is significantly contributing to the decline in yield.
He says that is a lot of assistance in renewal of lease to any particular crop or commodity and it is a special assistance given to sugar as compared to other crops.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition, Inia Seruiratu says these tenants are not idle occupants of land, they are the very individuals who cultivate it, who ensure productivity, who sustain supply chains and who support livelihoods not only for their own families but for the wider community.
He says their continued presence on the land is integral to food security, rural stability and economic development in the North.
Seruiratu says it is troubling that so many of these tenants now face uncertainty and possible displacement.
The Opposition Leader says of equal concern are reports that many are being asked to pay premiums ranging from $30,000 to $50,000 as a condition for lease renewal.
He says for ordinary farming families, such sums are simply beyond reach and risk effectively excluding them from continued access to the land they have long developed and depended upon.
He says he is particularly disappointed that the Government has not taken proactive steps to address this issue and there appears to be a clear lack of coordination between the Government and TLTB, as well as insufficient engagement with landowners to ensure that lease renewals are managed in a manner that is fair, transparent and beneficial to all parties.
Seruiratu stresses landowners must receive a fair return from their land.
He says however, this must be balanced against the broader national interest of keeping productive land in use and supporting those who have demonstrated commitment to its development.
The Opposition Leader says allowing leases to lapse without viable renewal pathways, or imposing prohibitive financial demands, undermines both economic stability and social cohesion.
Seruiratu is calling on the Government to urgently intervene and work collaboratively with TLTB and landowners to find practical, equitable solutions.
He says this includes reviewing the imposition of excessive premiums, improving coordination mechanisms, and ensuring that genuine, longstanding tenants are given a fair opportunity to continue their farming activities.
Seruiratu emphasizes that the future of Vanua Levu’s agricultural sector depends on decisions made today and we cannot afford policies or practices that drive farmers off the land and leave productive areas idle.
He adds his Office will continue to monitor this situation closely and advocate for the affected families.
Unity Fiji leader Savenaca Narube says our sugar industry has been in decline for decades, and much of that decline is due to land issues, particularly the productivity and use of land.
He says in some cases, leases have not been renewed and it will have an impact.
Narube says the extent of that impact depends on how much land is affected, however, the broader issue that needs to be addressed is why leases are not being renewed for sugarcane farmers and what challenges are contributing to this.
Questions have been sent to the iTaukei Land Trust Board and the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs. They are yet to respond.
However, iTLTB had said in July, 2020 that all agricultural leases near the Seaqaqa Town boundary will not be renewed.
iTLTB Northern Senior Estate Officer at that time Nemani Tamani had said they are not renewing leases near the town boundary due to plans to develop and expand the Seaqaqa Township.
He had said iTLTB has some agricultural leases available in Seaqaqa for those who are interested in continuing their farming.
