A directive has been issued to the I-taukei Land Trust Board and the Lands Ministry to ensure that cane farmers are advised five years in advance on whether their lease will be extended or will not be renewed.

Farmers have raised concerns that they are normally served eviction notice in the last minute and Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has demanded a change in the way this issues are being dealt with.

While speaking to farmers in Ba, Bainimarama assured farmers they will be given more time to negotiate their land leases with landowners.

“No longer will you be in danger in finding out just before the lease expires that you have to live, this gives you certainty and enables you to make proper plans to find somewhere else to live, and it is about giving lease holders security and peace of mind to enable them to proper manage their affairs and their lives”

With close to two million tonnes of cane production forecasted for this year, Bainimarama has advised farmers to be aware of politicians who will try and undermine the government’s work to revamp the sugar industry.