Suva : The sugar industry received a timely boost yesterday with the launch of the Termite Loan Package by the Sugar Cane Growers Fund.
The initiative, one of several introduced by the fund this year, is designed to help cane farmers recover from damages caused by termite infestations.
Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran, launched the program in Lautoka and praised the Fund for taking action to tackle the problem quickly.
“Termite infestations have been a growing issue over the past decade, causing serious damage to homes and farms, especially in the Western and Northern Divisions. Many sugarcane farmers have been affected, and areas like Lautoka, Nadi, and Labasa remain hotspots. We are also seeing new cases reported in Tavua, Rakiraki, and Nakasi,” Kiran said.
Kiran reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the issue, pointing out that about two million dollars have been set aside in the 2024-25 budget for the Termite Control Assistance Program.
“I appreciate the Fiji Sugarcane Growers Fund for stepping in with this loan package. The Termite Loan Package offers an interest rate of 2.99% for the first 12 months and a flexible rate of 4.5% afterwards. The loans can be used to fix or replace termite-damaged structures, with amounts ranging from $1,000 to $30,000. Farmers with longer leases can borrow up to $50,000,” she said.
Farmers who want to apply for the loan will need to get a certificate from the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji.
