The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry, Dr. Vinesh Kumar, has highlighted the critical importance of land tenure reform and security for the future of Fiji’s sugar and agricultural sectors. Speaking at the 2025 Attorney-General’s Conference, themed “Economic Balance, Lease Renewals, and Native Land Rights: Aligning State Interests with Community Prosperity,” he emphasized the vital role the sugar industry plays in the rural economy of Fiji.
Dr. Kumar pointed out that the sugar sector currently supports over 10,000 growers and serves as a backbone for numerous communities in the Western and Northern Divisions. Despite its significant contribution to foreign exchange earnings and rural stability, he noted a troubling trend: cane production has plummeted from nearly 3 million tonnes in 2005 to only 1.33 million tonnes in 2024.
Addressing the depth of the issues facing the industry, Dr. Kumar indicated that challenges extend beyond traditional agricultural considerations. He identified problems such as expiring agricultural leases, tenure insecurity, underutilized and abandoned farmland, fragmented arable land, and the impact of climate change as substantial hurdles to the sector’s sustainability. These matters, he stated, have escalated beyond mere land administration and have become macro-economic challenges that affect national productivity and rural livelihoods.
Dr. Kumar stressed that while more than 90% of Fiji’s land is native and essential to the iTaukei identity, ownership alone does not ensure economic opportunities. He emphasized that for native land to benefit both landowning communities and Fiji’s national development, it must be used productively, leased fairly, and backed by clear, modern legal frameworks.
He concluded by expressing optimism that Fiji can adopt and implement global best practices, which could protect indigenous land systems while simultaneously fostering sustainable economic growth. Dr. Kumar’s insights offer a hopeful perspective on the potential for revitalizing Fiji’s agriculture sector, highlighting the need for reform that aligns community prosperity with state interests.
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