MANY tenant families, particularly Indo-Fijians with generations of ties to leased land, continue to face uncertainty and hardship when agricultural leases expire, Fiji Labour Party (FLP) leader Mahendra Chaudhry told the Constitution Review Commission yesterday as he called for longer lease terms and an independent review of the iTaukei Land Trust Board’s (TLTB) leasing system.
“When leases are not renewed, these families face not only loss of livelihood but also the emotional and financial trauma of displacement after years of building their lives on the land,” Mr Chaudhry said.
He said the current 30-year agricultural lease was inadequate for long-term investment and sustainable farming.
“While the TLTB reports relatively high renewal rates in aggregate (historically 77–85 per cent for agricultural leases since 1997, and around 75 per cent for recent expired cane leases) but this figure is disputed by cane farmers’ organisations.
“Individual cases continue to cause significant distress.”
He said secure land tenure was critical for the future of Fiji’s agricultural sector.
“A 30-year term is insufficient for meaningful agricultural investment, especially in sugar cane and other perennial or capital-intensive crops.
“Secure, longer-term tenure is essential for farmers to plan, invest, and pass on viable operations to the next generation.”
Mr Chaudhry also questioned the TLTB’s rental and distribution arrangements, saying concerns remained over the level of returns reaching landowners.
“An independent, transparent review of lease terms, rental methodologies, and distribution mechanisms would help build confidence and fairness.”
