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Fiji’s Land Use Unit is on a second tour of the northern division to identify more parcels of land that native landowners are willing to lease to government under its land reform initiative.
Permanent secretary for Lands and Mineral Resources, Lieutenant-Colonel Neumi Leweni said government is determined to contribute to economic growth in the northern division through a greater focus on land-related and agricultural developments.
Leweni said that the land use team will visit various state lands on Vanua Levu including Taveuni and hold discussions with native land owners.
“The team will also pay particular attention to agricultural leases, some of which comprise large estates. Most of these estates in the past had contributed significantly to the nation’s economy through the agricultural sector including the copra industry and beef farming. The estates include Vunilagi, Matakunea, Qaranikula, and Waitavala, to name a few,” said Leweni said.
“While government supports other forms of development, it is also proper that the ministry also facilitate agricultural development to help the overall effort of attaining food security and reducing imports.
“The possibility of re-establishing an agro-industry is imminent in these areas so that we could add value to agricultural products for export markets especially so when government is looking at declaring Malau as an international port of entry,” Leweni said.
The team will spend five weeks in the north.
By Richard Naidu
