The iTaukei Land Trust Board says current land legislation places heavy emphasis on tenant interests while failing to fully recognise the long-term losses and economic sacrifices faced by iTaukei landowners.
Speaking on issues surrounding agricultural leases and cane land use, TLTB chief executive Solomone Nata said laws such as the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Act did not adequately account for the broader impacts experienced by landowners over decades of leasing.
“Current legislation, including the Agricultural Land & Tenants Act (ALTA), places significant emphasis on tenant interests but does not adequately account for landowner losses,” Mr Nata said.
“These include compensation to improvements, foregone economic opportunities, long-term soil fertility depletion over 30 to 50 years, and intangible cultural and intergenerational values attached to ancestral land.”
Mr Nata acknowledged the long-standing contribution of tenant farmers and their families to the sugar industry, saying many had relied on cane farming for generations and invested heavily during their lease periods.
“These realities are not dismissed,” he said.
“However, it is equally important to acknowledge that landowners have often not realised the full potential of their land during lengthy lease periods.”
Mr Nata said the reassessment of some cane lands as strategic development assets should not be viewed as an attack on the sugar industry.
“The re-assessment of certain cane lands as strategic development assets does not signal disregard for the sugar industry,” he said.
“Rather, it reflects a broader national challenge: how to balance agricultural continuity with economic diversification, landowner prosperity, and intergenerational equity for iTaukei landowners.”
The TLTB chief executive also urged agricultural tenants to meet their lease obligations and pay rent on time.
According to TLTB figures, agricultural leases represent the second highest category in its arrears portfolio, with 6,866 leases owing a total of $7.48 million in outstanding rent.
Of that amount, $3.47 million is linked specifically to cane leases.
Mr Nata stressed the importance of maintaining responsible lease arrangements to ensure both tenants and landowners benefit fairly from the use of native land.
