The Government has inaugurated a nursery in Addu City's Meedhoo under its national five million trees programme, which aims to restore threatened plant species and increase greenery across the Maldives.
Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam inaugurated the nursery during a visit to Meedhoo to participate in activities organised by the island council to mark this year's National Farmers' Day and World Food Day.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, Addu City Mayor Ali Nizar, members of the Meedhoo Council, local farmers and senior representatives of Ooredoo Maldives attended the ceremony.
The nursery forms part of the five million trees programme, a key pledge announced by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to restore declining and endangered plant species, increase greenery across the islands and preserve the environment and ecosystems. The Government officially launched the programme on World Environment Day in 2024.
To produce plants for the programme, the Government provided financial assistance on 2 September 2026 to establish nurseries on 10 additional islands, including Meedhoo.
Speaking at the inauguration, Meedhoo Council President Ahmed Shathir explained that although the island has allocated 3.6 hectares of land for agriculture, farmers have not used the available land to its full potential.
Under a newly formulated framework, 130 farmers have received agricultural land. Council President Shathir explained that the council could reclaim plots from those who fail to begin cultivation by December and reallocate them to others.
He outlined the council's ambition to make Meedhoo a model island for agriculture and a key contributor to the Government's food security objectives.
As part of these efforts, the council is working to bring 10 varieties to market. Council President Shathir also highlighted the benefits of the newly opened nursery, which will allow farmers to purchase different types of agricultural plants and other plant varieties.
The nursery includes an office area and a dedicated shop selling agricultural supplies.
Following the inauguration, Minister Shiyam inspected the nursery and visited agricultural plots cultivated by young farmers in Meedhoo.
The activities also included the reopening of the Farmers' Mosque following renovations by Ooredoo Maldives. The company also organised a special tree-planting activity in Meedhoo under its "Grow with Ooredoo" programme.