The iTaukei Lands Trust Board has described as “incorrect and found hearsay”, claims of high lease premium payments raised by farmers at the National Farmers Union annual general meeting held in Labasa last week.
In a statement, TLTB stated they were only doing their jobs as mandated by law.
The incorrect claims, it stated, included that TLTB demanded five years rent in advance for lease renewals and that TLTB charged massive new lease consideration payments (mentioned as premium).
“For the five years advance rent, this is just an option that the incoming tenants can choose and will therefore be included as part of the offer if they wish,” TLTB stated.
“If they want to be charged with annual rent, then it can also apply.
“The payment of advance rent was TLTB’s strategic measure to avoid rental arrears during the first five (5) years of the lease.”
It added for sugarcane farmland, TLTB charged new lease consideration only once, using the 2011 ALTA Schedule of Values with a discount of 35 per cent taking into consideration the natural fertility of the land and the need to support the sugar industry.
“TLTB is not charging any mark-ups whatsoever on the new lease consideration.
“Our values are based on factors like the size of the land, location and land classification.”
Farmers, TLTB added, also have the option to reduce the size of the land and pay less than the initially charged price.
The TLTB has also encouraged farmers to contact them to discuss their cases.
