The 99-year-lease only exists under the iTaukei Land Trust Act (TLTA) and not under the Agriculture Land and Tenancy Act (ALTA) which covers cane farming areas.
Minister of iTaukei Affairs Ifereimi Vasu clarified this with cane farmers during his consultation on Vanua Levu last week.
Farmers at the consultation had asked that their leases be extended to 99 years.
“You can ask for that, but you will have to switch your lease to TLTA and pay more premiums than what you are paying with ALTA,” Mr Vasu said.
“I am a farmer, but I plant ginger and we are under TLTA and pay more premium. So yes, you have that option as long as you are able to pay higher premiums and leases.”
Mr Vasu also told farmers that during his time in Macuata, he saw a lot of differences at cane farms he visited.
“The cane farms that belong to Fiji Sugar Corporation are healthier and crops bigger in size compared to individually-owned cane farms,” he said.
“I asked the staff about this and I’d like us to understand that it’s important for us to increase production in the sugar industry.
“I know that the Minister for Sugar, also a farmer, will definitely bring the best out of the industry with the support of Government,” Mr Vasu said.
