Landless or land-poor landowning units now have a chance to regain access to their traditional lands that were alienated during the colonial period and sold as freehold property.
Cabinet yesterday approved the reintroduction of the landmark Freehold Buy Back Scheme, which was stopped 32 years ago.
This renewed initiative will enable eligible iTaukei landowning units (LOUs) to reclaim ancestral lands.
“This is more than just a land programme—it is an act of restoration and recognition,” said the Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Filimoni Vosarogo.
“Buy Back Scheme 3.0 reaffirms Government’s commitment to right historical injustices and provide landowning units with the opportunity to regain what was once theirs—land that holds cultural, spiritual and economic value.”
Cabinet has endorsed a proposed allocation of $10 million in the 2025-2026 Financial Year for the reimplementation of the scheme.
Under the 2013 Constitution, buy-back lands will remain freehold and not revert to iTaukei Reserve status.
The Ministry said currently, 10 new freehold parcels have been identified, with expressions of interest received from respective LOUs.
These parcels will be prioritised once the scheme is operational. An addition of 11 parcels of Freehold lands has been identified for negotiation with the Freehold title holders.
