President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the government will distribute a sack of rice and flour to every household during the holy month of Ramadan. He made the announcement while speaking at a press conference at Velana International Airport (VIA) following the conclusion of his state visit to China.
Speaking at the press conference, President Muizzu expressed the government's commitment to providing special benefits to citizens during the upcoming Ramadan. As such, he revealed that each household would receive 10kg of rice and flour without charge, emphasising that more benefits were in store next year.
Additionally, President Muizzu outlined the government's goal of strengthening self-reliance among the citizens. He shared that steps had been taken to diversify the sources of essential food items by importing from multiple countries. He said that Turkiye has made plans with the Maldives to import large quantities of rice, sugar, and flour. In addition, he said that onions, eggs, and potatoes will be imported from various nations as part of this strategic approach.
The basic food items commonly used in the Maldives are imported from India. However, recent suspensions of exports from India have led to an increase in food prices within the local market, prompting the government to explore alternative sources to ensure food security.
Furthermore, President Muizzu announced that agreements to assist the Maldives in expanding agricultural growth to cater to food security were signed with the Chinese government. The agreements were signed following the official talks between China and the Maldives during the President's state visit to China. The two countries exchanged twenty key agreements at the signing ceremony.
Speaking on the agreements signed between the two nations, President Muizzu said that deliberations were conducted to initiate a specific agricultural scheme at Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF). The President affirmed that the envisioned project would guarantee the cultivation of the most frequently utilised agricultural commodities sufficient for a minimum population of 200,000 individuals. He further remarked that the government would end its dependence on one country for imported staple foods such as rice, sugar, and flour.