His Excellency the President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was briefed by the Labasa Mill manager and the Commissioner Northern, Col Inia Seruiratu this week, on strategies being put in place to boost production and confidence to cane farmers in the Northern division.
Mill manager Karia Christopher told Ratu Nailatikau that the challenge now is to introduce incentive and strategies in order to assist farmers and prevent them from abandoning their farms. The major causes of migration to other parts of Fiji is the non renewal of leases. Other factors highlighted during discussions included infrastructure, water and electricity problems.
Mr Christopher said that out of the 24 hectares of cane farming land in the division, half has become idle. However strategies implemented by the Committee for the Better Utilisation of Land (CBUL) programme through the Commissioner Northern’s office resulted in the renewal of 62 per cent of the expired leases.
Ratu Nailatikau told officials at FSC in Labasa that the Government understands that many people relied on the sugar industry for their livelihood thus government can not ignore the plight of farmers. He also visited the Labasa mill and was impressed by the enthusiastic response by the mill workers.