“Fiji’s Sugar Crisis: Call to Action for Unproductive Land Leases”

Fiji’s Sugar Minister, Charan Jeath Singh, has made an appeal to sugarcane farmers who lease extensive arable land but are not actively utilizing it, urging them to surrender their leases. Singh has emphasized that unproductive lands not only detrimentally impact the sugar industry but also deprive diligent farmers of cultivation opportunities.

During discussions with the Lands Ministry, it was expressed that steps will be taken to identify farmers, particularly those living abroad, who hold leases yet fail to produce on their land. Singh noted that some absentee farmers have been appointing agents through power of attorney to manage their properties from overseas, which only perpetuates inefficiency within the industry.

“Prime agricultural land is being lost, and if farmers residing overseas are not cultivating their lands, they should surrender the lease so we can allocate it to those who will work it productively,” Singh stated. He reinforced that the lease agreements require farmers to actively farm the land, further stating, “If you’re not doing so, it’s time to give it up or we will reassign it to someone else.”

This issue is compounded by feedback from local farming communities, who have reported difficulties in renewing leases due to the prevalence of unproductive land held by absentee farmers. The Sugarcane Growers Council’s CEO, Vimal Dutt, echoed these sentiments, noting how unattended farms threaten the sector’s sustainability, and highlighted the success of initiatives like the Farm Management Agreement, which facilitates productive farmers taking over idle farms.

Despite the challenges facing the sugar industry, including declining productivity—from an average of 100 tons per hectare to around 47 tons—the Minister remains hopeful. He believes that invigorating engagement from local farmers is crucial to overcoming obstacles and ensuring the long-term success of the sugar sector. Singh’s firm stance on accountability and productive land use lays a hopeful pathway towards revitalizing Fiji’s agricultural landscape.