Ousted Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase has today questioned why the interim government is trying to get more native land when there is already sufficient land available for cane farming.
Qarase said Interim Finance Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry should clear the air why they are even considering the proposal from the Indian consultant, Doctor M Krishnamurti to de-reserve all native land.
He said the proposal if endorsed will lock down even more native land for cane farms.
Qarase said the real issue is productivity in the sugar industry, not insufficient native land.
In an exclusive interview with Village News yesterday, Chaudhry said he will not politicize the issue as the landowners will be the ones who will decide on the future arrangements for native land.
Although NLTB is considering the proposal, Chaudhry said there are real benefits for the indigenous Fijian landowners.
Chaudhry also said critics should stop saying that he is behind the proposal to de-reserve the native land.
The report by the consultant from India, Doctor M Krishnamurti to the Sugar Ministry, has recommended all native land be de-reserved. The native reserve is the land set aside for each mataqali for its planting and to support the landowning unit's needs.
The reserved land is not to be leased out as it is arable land for the mataqali's needs.
Doctor Krishnamurti's report has recommended that the 4 hectare lots for cane farming are uneconomical and 40 to 400 hectare farms are more viable. He also recommends that all investments on the proposed farms be carried out by the lessee and the lease terms be a minimum of 75 years.
Interim govt questioned on native land
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