$1.2m for lease dues
THE Fiji Government has approved the provision of over $1.2 million to clear outstanding lease payment and arrears for 218 farmers.
Minister of Finance Professor Biman Prasad yesterday confirmed that more than half of these 218 farmers were from nonsugar sectors.
In a statement, Government said the payment would facilitate the issuance of long-term leases of about 50 years to these 218 farmers and encourage them to continue farming.
“The assistance will boost the sugar and nonsugar sector’s long-term viability and sustainability. It will also incentivise farmers to continue farming, and thereby discourage rural to urban migration,” the statement said.
Sustainable practices and diversification was necessary for the agriculture sector’s resilience, as this would go beyond such short-term assistance, the statement said.
A taskforce was put together with representatives from various ministries in September 2023 to root out issues with land leases, renewals and land premiums for sugar and non-sugar agricultural land.
The statement added that after consultations, the taskforce noted a total of 2180 agriculture leases would expire between 2023 and 2030.
Meanwhile, Cabinet has also given the Ministry of Finance the go-ahead to further assess the renewal of 1780 iTaukei Land Trust Board leases that will expire from 2023 to 2030.
More lease premium initiatives are expected to be announced in the 2024/2025 National Budget.
The assistance will boost the sugar and nonsugar sector’s long-term viability and sustainability
– Government statement