The government has officially handed over the responsibility of supplying chicken and eggs to the State Trading Organisation (STO) as part of a broader push to improve food security and stabilise market prices.
The Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed announced the decision, confirming that the state-owned company would also venture into poultry farming to ensure a reliable domestic supply.
The announcement came during a press conference addressing the government's efforts to expand access to basic food items across the Maldives.
Minister Saeed detailed President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s vision for STO to establish poultry farms in different parts of the country.
"The President has the intention of doing poultry farming in different parts of the country. Poultry farming, chicken, and chicken eggs are two things that are very important for the consumption of the population," Saeed explained.
In the long term, Saeed said STO will also work to acquire fertile land abroad, through purchase or lease, to further strengthen the nation's food security.
The move is part of a larger initiative to control the rising cost of essential goods. The Cabinet has also approved a plan for STO to import and sell 10 types of fruits, 10 types of vegetables, as well as rice, lentils, eggs, and potatoes in bulk.
This expansion of STO's mandate is intended to ease pressure on household budgets and ensure a stable supply of common foodstuffs.
The government's decision to expand STO's role in the food market was prompted by weeks of sharp increases in food prices, with some items seeing significant spikes. The government aims to have the expanded list of 23 essential food items readily available to the public at lower prices by 15 October.