A TOTAL of 1609 cane farm leases, both on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, will expire between this year and 2031, says Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh.
Updating Parliament last week on how the ministry plans to assist cane farmers obtain land lease renewals on expiring leases, Mr Singh said the ministry, the Fiji Sugar Corporation, Sugar Cane Growers Council and the Sugar Cane Growers Fund had been working with TLTB to assist canefarmers and landowners.
“These sugar industry institutions have established memorandums of understanding with TLTB to share useful information for the sugar industry and have been at the forefront to resolve lease-related issues,” the minister said.
“The TLTB has begun consultations with landowners and canefarmers regarding lease renewals for the mutual benefit of both parties.”
Mr Singh said farmers were no longer required to wait for their leases to expire in five years, but they could start consultations within 10 years of the leases expiring.
“This will bring confidence for the continuity of not only the farmer but the sugar industry as whole.”
Mr Singh said he had appointed the chief executive officer of TLTB, Solomoni Nata, on the FSC board.
“He will be able to assist better and understand the needs of the sugarcane industry in terms of land requirements first hand.
“Mr Nata will be able to discuss issues of the landowners and TLTB directly with the board of FSC and management.
“In this way, we will be able to develop strategies with TLTB and serve the needs of both the landowners and tenants, our sugarcane farmers.”
