Govt eyes new lease plan for sugarcane farmers

A proposal is being explored in which the Government would pay a lump sum for sugarcane farm lease premiums directly to landowners and take up the head lease.

Minister for Sugar Industry, Charan Jeath Singh, described it as a new approach where the Government clears the premium payment to avoid landowners raising concerns about late payments.

This would streamline the process, ensuring landowners receive payments on time instead of waiting for farmers to settle their premiums.

“Government pays the premium and deals directly with the farmer,” Mr Singh said. “This way, both landowners and farmers value each other.”

Labasa farmer Yogendra Ram said the cost of premiums to renew leases was high, and farmers struggled to pay the amount.

Mr Ram said if such a proposal were endorsed by the Government, it would help retain many farmers in the sugar industry.

“There are other associated costs of sugarcane farming, and during the time of paying premiums, farmers are burdened. If the Government clears the amount and later deals with them, it will be good,” he said.

iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) representatives, during consultations with many growers in the North, advised sugarcane farmers to lease only land that they actively utilise and not leave it idle, as this leads to higher premiums.

Wailevu sector farmer Mohammed Idris claims most farmers in the cane belt areas of the Northern Division are above the age of 45 years.

“Issues surrounding expensive premiums have affected the morale of the younger generation to enter this field,” Mr Idris said.

Wainikoro/Daku sector woman sugarcane farmer Akisi Vinaka thanked the Government for its timely intervention.

“We farmers face financial struggles to pay off expensive premiums, but the Government coming in to help with paying premiums is welcomed,” she said.

A taskforce was formed in September 2023 to address issues surrounding land lease renewals and premiums for sugar and non-sugar agricultural land.

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