More homes, less farming on iTaukei land

The Fiji Labour Party (FLP) has accused the Government of shielding high-ranking officials from accountability in a secret settlement reportedly reached with the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) that is now earning most of its income from residential leases, overtaking agriculture.

It is a clear indication that Fiji’s land use has shifted towards housing and urban development.

TLTB chief executive officer Solomoni Nata revealed this during a presentation of the TLTB 2023 Annual Report to the Standing Committee on Social Affairs by.

He told Members of the Parliament that out of 55,224 active leases, 32,762 are residential, while 15,750 are agricultural, covering 162,784 hectares of land.

The TLTB manages an annual rent portfolio of $55million and distributes about $120m to around 7747 landowning units.

Residential leases now generate the largest share of this income, reflecting a shift away from farming towards housing, commercial and industrial developments.

Mr Nata reminded MPs that TLTB was established 85 years ago in 1936 and formalized into law in 1940. He said the board’s mandate under the iTaukei Land Trust Act is to manage land for the benefit of landowners, including collecting and distributing lease income.

“The control of iTaukei land shall be vested in the board, and all such land shall be administered for the benefit of the iTaukei owners,” he said.

However, he also flagged a growing challenge in that residential leases account for the highest rent arrears, followed by agriculture, with unpaid rents nearing $9m.

Opposition MP Praveen Bala asked whether the Government pays any part of these arrears, but Mr Nata clarified that Government assistance is only for lease renewals, not unpaid rent.

“We are working closely with landowners to ensure the land generates better returns, whether through residential, commercial, or agricultural development,” Mr Nata said.

As residential leases now dominate TLTB’s income, MPs said the shift raised questions about land use, food security and long-term benefits for landowners, highlighting the importance of strategic planning for iTaukei land.