Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, has advised sugarcane farmers of Nasasa in Macuata to renew their land leases for only a resonable size to avoid hefty premiums.

This after a farmer, Avinesh Chand, requested alternative options and assistance to cater for the expensive cost of land renewal premiums.

This request was made during the Prime Minister’s visit to Bulu Settlement in Nasasa, on Tuesday.

In response, Mr Bainimarama said farmers, who faced financial challenges in paying premiums, should consider to reduce their lease land area.

This would ensure that farmers get the land for 30 years and sugarcane production continued.

An iTaukei Land Trust Board representative clarified that premium lease prices were determined by the land size requested.

“We at TLTB provide time for renewal payments and enough public awareness and consultation had been conducted for farmers in Wainikoro and district area,” he said.

Most Facing The Same Problem

Advisory Councillor for Daku in Nasasa, Mukesh Chandra, said almost all farmers faced this premium payment problem.

Mr Chandra said during his lease renewal back in 2020, the Government fully cushioned the cost of $10,000 in premiums.

But, this was not the case now as farmers leasing these land had to pay the entire cost.

However, the TLTB rep also clarified in Tadravula, Seaqaqa that they had reduced 35 per cent from the total premium charged.

Mr Chandra requested the Government for a 50 per cent premium assistance.

He said reducing land size was not a reasonable exercise because it would not increase or sustain our income and production.

“If all farmers engage in farm reduction, Sugarcane production will be lowered.”

Assistant Minister for Rural and Maritime Development, Jale Sigarara, said he would relay this request to the PM for some premium concessions.

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