The President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, who is on an official tour to the Northern Division was briefed by the Labasa Mill Manager and the Commissioner Northern on strategies being put in place to boost sugar cane production in the friendly north.

Mill Manager Karia Christopher told the President that the challenge now is to introduce incentive and strategies in order to assist farmers and prevent them from abandoning their farms.

He said the major cause of migration to other parts of Fiji is the non renewal of leases, infrastructure, water and electricity problems.

Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was told that the Committee for the Better Utilisation of land introduced programmes through the Commissioner Northern’s office which resulted in the renewal of 62 percent of the expire leases.