Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture has conducted a workshop in Thoddoo, Alifu Alifu Atoll, to provide information on the opportunities farmers have in the agricultural sector.
The two-day workshop was held in collaboration with Thoddoo Island Council and participants were provided with information on the various opportunities and services provided to farmers by the fisheries ministry, state institutions, and private parties. Speakers at the workshop included officials from the fisheries ministry, SME Development Finance Corporation (SDFC), Agro National Corporation (AgroNat), Maldives Food and Drug Authority, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology, and businesses that sell agricultural products.
The speakers provided information on the loan programme for farmers carried out by the fisheries ministry and SDFC. Participants were also taught how to solve the challenges in marketing agricultural products with assistance from AgroNat and were given information on the opportunities the company provides to farmers. The fisheries ministry further provided information on the Maldives Good Agriculture Project being conducted with the environment ministry and the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA).
During the workshop, speakers taught participants the methods to determine and maintain the quality of their products and how to abide by international standards. They also gave information on the project to improve the irrigation systems in Thoddoo, which is carried out by the environment ministry in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Additionally, participants were reassured that efforts are being made to solve the issue of the rising price of agricultural products.