Minister of Fisheries, Marine Resources, and Agriculture Dr. Hussain Rasheed Hassan has handed over taro vines to be grown in the southern atolls.
Minister Hassan handed over the taro vines to the local councils of Hoadedhdhoo, Fiyoree, Vaadhoo, and Gadhdhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, and will be handing over the plants to the Fuvahmulah City Council. The minister is handing over 60 taro vines for each island.
The ministry stated that efforts to grow the taro are a collaborative effort of the local councils and the ministry. It stated that an evaluation will be conducted on the growth of the taro vines in the islands and that more plants will be provided to the atolls based on their success.
Farmers in the Maldives have faced challenges in growing taros due to the taro leaf blight killing off the plants. The new taro vines from Kenya are resistant to the disease.