The Government aims to equip more Maldivians with modern technology and encourage greater participation in the agricultural sector, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has said.
The Minister made the remarks in an interview with PSM News in Addu City’s Meedhoo to mark National Farmers’ Day, which is being officially celebrated on the island this year.
Minister Shiyam said the administration of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu had aligned the country’s agricultural policies with the goal of strengthening food security. He noted that Meedhoo has a large farming community, with approximately 165 farmers actively engaged in agriculture on the island.
The Minister also highlighted the President’s five-million-tree planting programme, saying it would make a significant contribution to the Government’s food security efforts.
He said work was under way to establish 20 nurseries across different parts of the Maldives, with the first being developed in Meedhoo. Minister Shiyam emphasised the important role local farmers on the island could play in strengthening the country’s food security.
“We want to work with communities across the Maldives, particularly local communities, to find ways to encourage as many Maldivians as possible to participate in farming and improve agricultural practices. We want to familiarise them with modern technology,” Minister Shiyam said.
The Minister said his ministry was working with individual islands to expand agricultural activities across the country. He added that the ministry would also support island councils seeking to conduct agricultural training programmes.
The Fisheries Minister said the ministry was working to address challenges facing the agricultural sector. As part of these efforts, the Government is collaborating with several countries that support the Maldives to advance the sector and improve local agricultural production.