THE issue in this country is not about land availability, it is about the return that landowners will get from their land, said member of parliament Manoa Kamikamica.
Speaking at the Special Strategic Session on Fiji’s National Development Journey at the 2026 FICA annual congress, he said conversations surrounding land availability should focus on the economic benefits to landowners around the country.
“The issue of land in Fiji has never been about availability of land – you look at how Denarau is operating on now, that is on native land, bulk of the hotels are sitting on native land,” Mr Kamikamica said.
“So, there has never been an issue – we need to raise the conversation and make it an economic conversation if we pay the landowners the right returns and reasonable returns, you will find the landowners will open up their land.
“And in the context of Aitken Spence Plantation Managements PLC and FIJI Water, they found land to invest on very quickly.”
Meanwhile, Mr Kamikamica also emphasised on the need to make Fiji more attractive.
“One of the key things we are trying to do through internal diversification is start creating economic activity back in the rural areas.
“So, with commercial agriculture, you will see FIJI Water is really doing well with commercial agriculture.
“And once you have economic activity and earning potential in the rural setting, it will create ownership.
“Instead of going to town and roaming around and drinking grog, you can actually earn your living back in the village.”
Mr Kamikamica said there were also overseas investors who were keen to invest in commercial agriculture in Fiji.
“These are some of the strategic things that you may not see.
“The only way you can get the rural economy moving is by initiating partnerships with the private sector and driving economy activity.”
