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Landowners in the South-West Region (Nadi) including Nawaka and Sabeto of Ba Province together with members on the district of Momi in Nadroga, gathered on 23 April 2026 for a Landowning Unit (LOU) Workshop organised by the iTaukei Land Trust Board’s (TLTB) aimed at building capacity and supporting development on their land.
The workshop focused on helping landowners better understand how to plan, manage, and implement development projects within their respective LOUs.
The program was aligned with priorities identified in the 2025 Asset Capitalization Reports, ensuring that discussions remained relevant to the needs of the landowners.
A total of 65 participants attended the workshop, travelling from the districts of Nawaka, Sabeto, Sikituru, and Momi. The turnout exceeded expectations, with strong interest also shown by nearby communities. Throughout the day, landowners actively participated in discussions, sharing their views and experiences.
The workshop featured presentations from government agencies, financial institutions, and fellow landowners who shared their success stories. Key areas discussed included land governance, business readiness, preparing for investment, available initiatives and practical ways to start small development projects on land. For many participants, this was one of the first workshops of its kind in the SW Region area, and it was well received.
A key highlight of the program was the presence of the TLTB Board Member and High Chief of Nawaka, the Momo na Tui Nawaka. His attendance showed strong support for the initiative and reinforced the importance of empowering landowners, both at the traditional and governance levels.
Participants gained a better understanding of the services available through Government and other institutions, and many expressed increased confidences to explore business and investment opportunities. The workshop also helped identify potential development projects within LOUs and strengthened engagement between landowners and key stakeholders.
At the same time, landowners openly shared the challenges they face. These included limited understanding of land classifications, which can make decision-making difficult, and challenges in accessing finance due to bank requirements such as collateral and business proposals. Landowners also highlighted the need for more guidance on compliance and land-related processes, noting that while support is available through initiatives like Taukei Wealth Fund and the Taukei Development Fund Facility assistance, more awareness is still needed.
Access to timely information on development opportunities and partnerships was also raised as an area that needs improvement.
In response, TLTB reaffirmed its commitment to continue supporting landowners which includes strengthening governance within LOUs, rolling out financial literacy and business training, improving access to information, and working closely with financial institutions to help landowners secure funding for viable projects. Ongoing support will also be provided in land use planning and compliance to ensure sustainable development for all.