HISTORIC LAND REVERSION OF LAND KNOWN AS NG 2 TO MATAQALI NADALA
April 9, 2026
A team from the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) led by CEO Mr Solomone Nata paid a courtesy visit to the Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Hon. Tomasi Tuinabuna to raise awareness on TLTB’s vital role in driving economic development and to explore new areas of collaboration.
TLTB’s key concerns center on the compensation provisions under the Agricultural Landlord & Tenants Act (ALTA) and the outdated ALTA Schedule of Values (2011), which continues to negatively impact landowners.
Mr. Nata said that TLTB was established to safeguard the interests of landowners and remains dedicated to ensuring they receive fair returns from the use of their land. He noted, however, that the current ALTA Schedule of Values (2011) fails to adequately serve landowners, as the rates applied remain disproportionately low.
In the absence of a review, the outdated ALTA UCV 2011 continues to be enforced. He stressed that it is timely for the Ministry of Agriculture, as custodian of the Act, to expedite the review process. In line with TLTB’s submission, ALTA should be repealed, with iTaukei land managed under the TLTA and Crown land administered through the State Lands Act.
At present, approximately 163,057 hectares of land are allocated under agricultural leases, yet a substantial portion remains underutilized. Despite this, the sugar industry continues to request additional land. Clear evidence of underutilized leasehold areas has prompted TLTB to call on the Ministry to strengthen oversight of the 15,756 agricultural leases and ensure that all leased land is fully and productively utilized.
Hon. Tuinabuna warmly welcomed the initiative, describing the information shared as valuable and timely.
Other areas of discussion between TLTB and the Ministry includes Leasehold Productivity, Farm Road Access, Lease Renewals, Stakeholder Engagement, 1/3 Farming Assistance for Landowners, Soil Health Project and Data Sharing.
This engagement reinforced the shared commitment of both institutions to work together for the benefit of landowners, farmers, and the wider community.
