The I-taukei Lands trust Board TLTB has been directed by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama to work closely with cane farmers for their security.
“As Chair of the TLTB, I have directed the TLTB and also the Lands Department to ensure that for all leases that are expiring, the lessee must be told five years in advance whether the lease is to be extended or not renewed. No longer will you be in danger of finding out just before the lease expires that you have to leave,” Bainimarama told cane growers in a meeting in Rakiraki yesterday.
“This gives you certainty and enables you to make proper plans to find somewhere else to live. It is about giving leaseholders security and peace of mind – to enable them to properly manage their affairs and their lives.”
TLTB has set aside half a million dollars – to be matched by the Government with another half a million dollars – to assist tenants who are disadvantaged, behind in their rent and are facing financial hardship.
“This includes the elderly without pensions and who are ill, tenants of all ages with a chronic illness, those who have lost their jobs or those with disabilities. There is specific assistance for elderly cane farming tenants above the age of 60 with no other source of income other than cane proceeds. We will pay their leases for them.”
The I-Taukei lands Board has also agreed to set aside another million dollars to assist people who hold leases and who have been affected by Tropical Cyclone Winston.
“This will go towards the payment of their leases and more details on this will be released in the next few weeks.”
“I also want to announce today that Government will provide replanting assistance to those farmers who have been affected by Cyclone Winston. As you know, my Government has allocated $11-million to the replanting effort and cyclone victims will be given first priority. Upon finalization of the total hectares damaged, we estimate that about $2000 a hectare will be given to each recipient. Based on current figures, we are looking at about $9-million being given to cane farmers who have been affected by Cyclone Winston. This money will also be used to assist other cane farmers for their replanting on existing cane fields, not just fallow land.”