The iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) has responded to claims that it and landowners are wrongfully blamed for the departure of farmers from sugarcane farms. TLTB management issued a statement addressing comments made by Mahendra Chaudhry, the general secretary of the National Farmers Union, who suggested that the rent and premiums imposed on agricultural leases by TLTB were significant factors driving tenants away.
In its statement, TLTB highlighted that numerous reasons contribute to farmers leaving the cane sector. Currently, there are 16,001 agricultural leases covering 174,046 hectares of iTaukei land, with a total rent generated amounting to over $10.7 million. However, roughly $5.8 million in rent arrears remains outstanding.
Specifically, within the agricultural leases, 8,783 pertain to cane farming, on 75,737 hectares, with arrears totaling nearly $2.8 million. TLTB clarified that lease renewals depend on various considerations, including the payment status of rent, land use, and the cultivation of leased properties. Approximately one-third of leases are reportedly uncultivated.
Since 1997, TLTB has successfully renewed 85 percent of its agricultural leases. The remaining leases have either transitioned into more lucrative land use—such as residential or commercial—or returned to landowners who wish to farm themselves.
The statement emphasized the struggles of iTaukei landowners, noting that they have faced inequitable rental returns and called for a review of the rent structure under the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Act (ALTA). TLTB advocates for a more fair and equitable rent system based on open market principles, emphasizing that their leasing processes are governed by the iTaukei Land Trust Act, which is sometimes influenced by ALTA.
In summary, TLTB urges a re-evaluation of the factors influencing land use and rental agreements as part of a larger conversation about the sustainability of agriculture in the region. A positive takeaway from this situation is the recognition of the need for collaboration between landowners and agricultural stakeholders to create an environment conducive to farming and to ensure fair economic returns for all parties involved. This dialogue could lead to meaningful reforms that benefit the agricultural sector and support local communities.
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