The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry, Dr. Vinesh Kumar, emphasized the critical importance of land tenure reform and security for the long-term sustainability of Fiji’s sugar industry and broader agricultural sector. Speaking at the 2025 Attorney-General’s Conference, which focused on “Economic Balance, Lease Renewals, and Native Land Rights: Aligning State Interests with Community Prosperity,” Dr. Kumar highlighted the sugar industry as a key pillar supporting the rural economy, noting that it sustains over 10,000 growers in various communities across Fiji’s Western and Northern Divisions.
Despite the industry’s significant role in providing foreign exchange and maintaining rural stability, Dr. Kumar expressed concern over a sharp decline in sugar production, which fell from nearly 3 million tonnes in 2005 to just 1.33 million tonnes in 2024. He indicated that the challenges facing the sugar sector have expanded beyond agricultural practices to include pressing issues related to land administration.
Expiring agricultural leases, tenure insecurity, underutilized or abandoned farmland, and climate-related declines in production have all emerged as significant hurdles. According to Dr. Kumar, these issues are now intertwined with macroeconomic factors affecting national productivity and rural livelihoods, ultimately threatening the long-term resilience of the industry.
He underscored the importance of native land in Fiji, which constitutes over 90% of the land mass and is integral to the identity of the iTaukei people. Dr. Kumar stressed that while safeguarding ownership is paramount, it is equally crucial to ensure that native land is utilized productively. This necessitates fair leasing practices and the establishment of modern legal frameworks that offer clarity and predictability.
In light of these challenges, Dr. Kumar pointed out that Fiji has a unique opportunity to adopt global best practices that protect indigenous land systems while fostering sustainable economic growth. By aligning the interests of landowning communities with national development goals, Fiji can enhance both economic prospects and community welfare in the agricultural sector.