Land access key to success, says Opposition on new agribusiness centre

While the Government celebrated the launch of Fiji’s first Agribusiness Incubation Centre, the Opposition raised a major concern, stating that the project will only succeed if farmers have proper access to land.

Speaking during the parliamentary debate yesterday, Opposition Member of Parliament Rinesh Sharma said that while the Government’s new agricultural initiative was promising, it risked falling short unless Fiji’s long-standing land issues were addressed.

“When we talk about agriculture, the first issue that arises is land, land accessibility and utilisation,” Mr Sharma said.

“We cannot keep converting farmlands into residential, tourism, or industrial areas. Where will our people farm?” he asked.

The Government recently launched the Agribusiness Incubation Centre, which aims to help farmers, women, and youth become successful agripreneurs by providing training, mentorship, and business support.

The centre, funded by the European Union implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), is being hailed as a game changer for Fiji’s agriculture sector.

Minister for Agriculture Tomasi Tunabuna said the new centre was part of Government’s plan to build a modern, climate-smart, and innovative agriculture industry.

“This centre is not just a building, it is a bold statement of intent,” Mr Tunabuna said. “We are empowering the real drivers of our economy, our farmers, youth, and women.”

He said the centre will provide a one-stop hub for agribusiness training, post-harvest management, market access, and incubation programs to help small farmers turn their ideas into commercial success.

However, Mr Sharma warned that without proper land policies, many of these initiatives would not reach their full potential.

“We have Fijians working on farms in New Zealand and Australia while large areas of land in Fiji remain unused,” he said. “This shows something is wrong. If farmers cannot access land easily or affordably, how can they benefit from these new opportunities?”

He called on the government to work closely with the iTaukei Land Trust Board (iTLTB) and other stakeholders to secure long-term agricultural leases and make land more available for smallholder farmers and start-ups.

Mr Sharma also proposed holding an Agri Youth Innovation Summit to connect young entrepreneurs, financial institutions, and development partners to address challenges in the sector and reduce brain drain.

“The key to Fiji’s growth and food security lies in agriculture,” he said. “But we must fix the basics, land, logistics, and market access. Only then can initiatives like the Agribusiness Centre truly deliver results.”

Feedback: rariqi.turner@fijisun.com.fj