Agro National Corporation (AgroNAT) has revealed its vessels will be used next year to transport local produce from one island to another.
Speaking on a programme aired on PSM News, Managing Director of AgroNat Haaroon Rasheed said the biggest challenge faced in the Maldives due to geographical dispersion of islands is the difficulties in transporting goods from one island to another. Haroon said AgroNat is currently using cargo vessels in Male' City. He said AgroNat is preparing to use its own vessels for transportation after realising the challenges. He said work is underway to design and build two Agro-boats noting the funds for the project have been secured with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
AgroNAT has revealed local produce of local farmers is supplied to 12 resorts now.
AgroNAT, a company established by the government aiming to empower the agriculture sector of the Maldives, has established contracts with agricultural workers across the country to work in collaboration. AgroNAT was founded as a state-owned enterprise with the overall mandate to assist in developing the agricultural sector.
AgroNAT works toward enforcing objectives such as enabling an efficient supply chain for agriculture, providing technical expertise and training to farmers, expanding the role of women in farming, and facilitating access to quality fertilisers across islands.