Over 1,000 sugarcane leases to expire by 2030

More than 1,000 sugarcane farming leases are set to expire by 2030, prompting Parliament’s Standing Committee on Social Affairs to urge the iTaukei Land Trust Board to ensure all are properly reviewed and renewed in time.

The warning is contained in the committee’s review of TLTB’s 2023 Annual Report, which was tabled in Parliament last week.

TLTB chief executive Solomone Nata said the board had already begun visiting tenants, sugarcane farmers, up to 10 years before their leases expire to assess future use of the land.

“Either it will be renewed in total or renewed in parts, or if the landowners want the land, then we will try to negotiate for them to have some residential sites and other areas to plant, or the land will be totally converted into residential, industrial, commercial subdivision or even tourism,” Mr Nata said.

Sugarcane leases fall under the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Act, which sets rent at a fixed rate of six per cent of the land’s unimproved value — a system that differs from TLTB’s open-market model for other leases.

The committee has recommended a full legislative review to address this misalignment.

For farmers, lease renewal outcomes will determine whether they can continue working the land or must find alternative livelihoods. For landowners, it represents a decision on how best to use their land.

The committee has also recommended that TLTB work closely with affected landowners to finalise renewal decisions before the 2030 deadline.