The National Farmers Union’s General Secretary, Mahendra Chaudhry, has raised urgent concerns regarding the rights of absentee farmers following remarks from Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh. Singh has called on absentee farmers, many of whom live abroad, to relinquish their land leases, arguing that their absence contributes to decreased agricultural productivity.
Chaudhry argues that absentee farmers maintain the same legal rights as other landowners, cautioning that such demands could jeopardize the security of cane farmers and tenants in the agricultural sector. He highlighted that many tenants holding valid leases are now facing uncertain futures, with the iTaukei Land Trust Board (iTLTB) and the Lands Department suggesting their leases might not be renewed. This prevailing insecurity, he notes, poses a significant threat to agricultural growth and stability, particularly under the Rabuka Coalition government.
These concerns add to ongoing discussions about the difficulties faced by Fiji’s sugar industry, which has seen a drastic decline in cane yields, dropping from an average of 100 tons per hectare to approximately 47 tons. Contributing factors to this downturn include insufficient support from the Fiji Sugar Corporation and challenges within farming practices.
The current debates surrounding land leases and agricultural productivity underscore the need for effective dialogue among stakeholders, including farmers, landowners, and the iTLTB. Engaging in constructive conversations could lead to necessary reforms that enhance the agricultural landscape, ensuring equitable treatment for all parties involved, and revitalizing the sugarcane industry in Fiji. Despite the challenges ahead, there is a hopeful perspective that with collective efforts, the sector can rejuvenate and continue to support local farmers and communities.
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