The Government on Saturday decided to lease 50 uninhabited islands for agriculture and other purposes from Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll.
The Fisheries Ministry announced the decision to lease the islands which came under a revised guideline to lease islands under “Varuvaa”, a scheme which allows islands to be leased for agriculture and other such purposes. The Fisheries Ministry said application forms for the islands will be sold from September 19 to October 6.
Under the revised guidelines for the long-term lease of islands for “Varuvaa”, investors are contracted to buy quality products from local farmers who lease the islands, while farming activities are supported through tax exemptions for items imported for their operations. The revised guidelines for island lease allow lease agreements for a maximum of 10 years.