The Maldives is prioritizing the reduction of chemicals used to maintain soil quality in farmlands and the production of plant nutrients from discarded fish and food waste, according to the Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. Mariyam Mariya. The Minister made these remarks while speaking at a High-Level Ministerial Special Event organized by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). During her speech at the High-Level Ministerial event, Dr. Mariyam Mariya stated that 90 percent of the food consumed by Maldivians is imported. Therefore, she highlighted that the Maldives is giving special attention to agriculture to ensure food security.
The Minister noted that while working towards this goal, the Maldives faces various challenges due to its vulnerability to climate change. As a result, she said that efforts are being made to implement modern techniques in agriculture to make it more resilient to climate changes. “We are in the process of introducing hydroponics and vertical farming. We are also conducting training on modern agricultural techniques. Additionally, we are working on establishing drip irrigation systems and rainwater harvesting systems,” the Minister said.
The Minister stated that as the Maldives is a low-lying country, special emphasis is also given to maintaining soil quality. While various types of chemicals were previously used in agriculture, the government’s policy now is to stop using chemicals and produce plant nutrients from waste materials, she explained. Given that the Maldives is a country with extensive fishing activities, the Minister expressed her belief that a significant amount of plant nutrients could be produced from fish waste.
Furthermore, the Minister of Agriculture highlighted that efforts are being made to increase the profitability of agriculture. This includes facilitating easy loans for farmers and working on connecting farmers directly with customers through digital platforms.
The government has initiated numerous projects to expand the agricultural sector in the Maldives. One of the most notable efforts is training farmers in modern techniques. The government has also designated a special economic zone for agriculture. A plan to reclaim 100 hectares of land has been set for this purpose.
