TLTB LEADS COASTAL CLEAN-UP IN SUVA
March 26, 2026
HISTORIC LAND REVERSION OF LAND KNOWN AS NG 2 TO MATAQALI NADALA
April 9, 2026
TLTB wishes to clarify a number of statements made in an article titled “40 Seaqaqa and Labasa Cane Farmers Fear for Livelihoods Due Non-renewal of Leases” [sic] on the online news website Fiji Village and linked to its Facebook account. From the outset, TLTB categorically states that there are no such forced evictions as alleged. TLTB clarifies the facts regarding the cane lease renewal as posted on social media as follows.
Complaint by Hirdei Narayan: Mr Narayan is the caretaker for TLTB’s tenant, Kamal Narayan Sharma, who applied to renew the lease. The renewal process requires surrendering the original lease. The original lease document is currently held by Fiji Development Bank (FDB) as collateral for a loan. FDB has provided an undertaking to surrender the lease. However, at the time of this release, the original lease has not been submitted.
Complaint by Mohammed Rafiq: Mr Rafiq complained on behalf of our tenant, Bejarati. The land lies within the periphery of Seaqaqa Township and has been subdivided into 13 residential lots and 2 commercial lots. Leases under the iTaukei Land Trust Act (TLTA) have been issued as rental returns under the Agricultural Landlord Tenant Act (ALTA), and these returns are very low compared to those under TLTA leases. The tenant, Bejarai, was given a residential lease over the house site.
Complaint by Girja Nand for Indar Deo and Prem Sushil the tenant. The land is within the periphery of the Seaqaqa township and has been subdivided into residential lots. Tenant was issued a residential block and has paid $4,500 out of the $18,552 total lease offer. A notice was issued to him, advising him to continue paying the full amount prior to a new 99-year lease.
Complaint by late Bas Basdeo’s wife. This lease expired in 2023. One of the landowners is interested in leasing the land; hence, 3.4 acres were issued to Bas Basdeo for subsistence farming.
What transpired in the four cases was in the best interest of the landowners, who, for 50 years, are now able to use their land to support their livelihoods and/or yield better returns for residential/commercial uses.
TLTB proactively considers lease renewal 10 years before the expiry date. TLTB wishes to reiterate that agricultural lease renewals depend on certain key factors such as compliance with rental payment obligations and lease arrears, whether the lease was used productively or other purposes, what the highest and best use would be for future use, whether the land will be needed by the landowners for their use, maintenance and support due to increasing numbers, landowners interest to lease such land, land needed for higher return purpose such as residential, commercial, tourism, etc.
The article claims that 40 leases were not renewed. It is unclear what the basis of this count is. However, TLTB management will be in Seaqaqa and Natua in mid-April to meet farmers and landowners to address their concerns and clarify issues regarding their leases.
Moreover, it must be stated that TLTB regional managers and staff are working hard to balance tenants’ and landowners’ needs. For the period 2025 – 2035, there are 602 cane leases that have expired or will expire. Of these leases, 440 (75%) have been renewed, including 140 early renewals and 8 with reduced areas.
Thirty-two leases reverted to the landowners for use, support, and maintenance, or for the landowners to lease themselves. Eight leases will be subdivided for higher-return use, while the remaining 116 leases are still in the team’s process.
If an agricultural lease is not renewed, TLTB offers the tenant a 99-year residential lease for their house site, subject to payment of a premium and rent to avoid eviction. Tenants also have the right to claim compensation under the ALTA if their leases are not renewed. Where tenants face payment difficulties, TLTB facilitates part payment by agreement.
TLTB wishes to point out that low cane productivity is not due solely to non-lease renewal. Overall, lease renewal has been around 85%, hence there is more than ample land to support the cane required by the three mills. The biggest challenges now are the low yield rate per hectare on cane farms, at around 40–60 tons per hectare, and nonproductive/idle farms, which comprise around 30%. All efforts must now focus on productive farms that achieve at least a 50% increase in yield per hectare.
Furthermore, TLTB urges authorities to expedite the review of the ALTA Unimproved Capital Value (UCV) and conclude it. By law, the review of UCV should be conducted on a 5-year cycle. The last review was in 2011, with missed reviews in 2016 and 2021, despite follow-ups from TLTB. As a result, landowners have been deprived of rent for quite some time that properly reflects up-to-date UCV values.
For TLTB, supporting the economy as a land provider is vital. However, of equal significance is the due consideration of the landowner’s interest in being provided opportunities to use their own land and to participate in commercial pursuits with better returns. For decades, landowners have demonstrated profound goodwill by allowing their land to be leased by others to realise their aspirations for better livelihoods and well-being. It is only fair that landowners receive a fair and equitable return for the use of their land.
TLTB MANAGEMENT