"THE decision by a landowning unit to renew expiring agricultural leases to 15 tenants is commendable.
Members of the Mataqali Tilivalevu, in Tavua, have agreed to renew the native land leases for the farmers using their land.
Mataqali leader Onisivoro Ratu says it is best that the tenants continue using their land instead of letting the land lie idle as some other landowning units around the country have been doing.
But it is important that the decision to renew leases or approve new leases on such native land be left entirely to the landowning units.
It is not in the best interest of anyone that such renewals of leases or the use of native land lying idle be forced upon the clans.
It has to be left to them to make decisions on what they own in particular the sensitive issue of land. Any responsible and wise government will always respect the rights of landowners to make decisions on their land.
The government may only give advice and guidance. And it should be encouraged to extensively educate the landowning units on the benefits they can derive from their land if it is leased out or utilised in some way.
With the support and help of the Native Land Trust Board, these landowning units can be convinced they have much to derive from their land outside the native reserves of course if they agree to put it to good use.
Meanwhile in Tavua, Mr Ratu talks about a strong bond between the clan members and the tenant farmers which had developed and strengthened over the years. Because of this special relationship, he says it is hard for the clan members who have learnt to peacefully co-exist with the tenants and their families to see them leave the land.
The farmers, of course, are grateful to the Mataqali Tilivalevu for the kind gesture. Their leader Jagdishwar Kumar says they are forever indebted to the clan members.
Such special relationship and understanding between tenant farmers and landowning units are not new. They exist in peace and harmony in the rural farming communities assisting each other every day and sharing many things they own.
They seem oblivious to the political haranguing and the continuous exchange of salvo between those who love to use the race card to gain popularity and support.
It is heartening and uplifting that amid the tales of misery and gloom we come across these days as we scan the news, such gestures of kindness and goodwill remind us there is still hope for the future if we choose to be tolerant with and understand each other's culture, faith and way of life.
It is a valuable lesson which other landowning units and their tenants can learn from. "Fiji Times Editorial
Members of the Mataqali Tilivalevu, in Tavua, have agreed to renew the native land leases for the farmers using their land.
Mataqali leader Onisivoro Ratu says it is best that the tenants continue using their land instead of letting the land lie idle as some other landowning units around the country have been doing.
But it is important that the decision to renew leases or approve new leases on such native land be left entirely to the landowning units.
It is not in the best interest of anyone that such renewals of leases or the use of native land lying idle be forced upon the clans.
It has to be left to them to make decisions on what they own in particular the sensitive issue of land. Any responsible and wise government will always respect the rights of landowners to make decisions on their land.
The government may only give advice and guidance. And it should be encouraged to extensively educate the landowning units on the benefits they can derive from their land if it is leased out or utilised in some way.
With the support and help of the Native Land Trust Board, these landowning units can be convinced they have much to derive from their land outside the native reserves of course if they agree to put it to good use.
Meanwhile in Tavua, Mr Ratu talks about a strong bond between the clan members and the tenant farmers which had developed and strengthened over the years. Because of this special relationship, he says it is hard for the clan members who have learnt to peacefully co-exist with the tenants and their families to see them leave the land.
The farmers, of course, are grateful to the Mataqali Tilivalevu for the kind gesture. Their leader Jagdishwar Kumar says they are forever indebted to the clan members.
Such special relationship and understanding between tenant farmers and landowning units are not new. They exist in peace and harmony in the rural farming communities assisting each other every day and sharing many things they own.
They seem oblivious to the political haranguing and the continuous exchange of salvo between those who love to use the race card to gain popularity and support.
It is heartening and uplifting that amid the tales of misery and gloom we come across these days as we scan the news, such gestures of kindness and goodwill remind us there is still hope for the future if we choose to be tolerant with and understand each other's culture, faith and way of life.
It is a valuable lesson which other landowning units and their tenants can learn from. "Fiji Times Editorial
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