Since the inception of the Termite Taskforce, 775 households have been assisted with the Termite Subsidy Programme valued at $3.8million, says Women, Children and Social Protection Assistant Minister Sashi Kiran.

While officiating at the launch of the Sugar Cane Growers Council termite package yesterday, Ms Kiran said this accounted for 448 applications approved in the last fiscal year and 327 applications approved in the current fiscal year.

“These households have applied through the Lautoka City Council and have been verified by the Biosecurity Authority,” she said.

“Under the Termite Baiting Program, 1000 households were able to access baiting systems.

“These baiting systems focus on eliminating existing termite colonies.”

Ms Kiran said the Western Division topped the list of infestation notifications from 2021 to 2024, revealing the persistent and growing severity of termite infestations in the Lautoka and Nadi hotspot areas.

“Notifications in the Western Division surged dramatically, from 972 in 2021 to 1982 by 2024.

“This increase, especially from 2023 to 2024, can be largely attributed to escalating infestations in the Nadi area and informal settlements in Lautoka.”

Ms Kiran said reports have also increased in Ba and Rakiraki.

“Since 2018, biosecurity has totalled 7000 reports. The Northern Division exhibited a more gradual yet steady increase. Notifications rose from 233 in 2021 to 375 in 2024.

“Total reports received by biosecurity since 2018 for the North stand at 1450, though fewer infestations compared to the Western Division.

“This steady growth still signifies a persistent issue with termite activity, particularly in northern rural and semi-urban regions.”

Ms Kiran said much of the Northern Division termite infestations were focused in the Labasa area.

“The Central Division, which had no recorded activity in 2021 and 2022, began reporting in 2023, with 33 notifications. By 2024, notifications had risen to 109.”