The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare has launched an inception workshop to develop the proposal for the project "A Holistic Approach to Food Systems Resilience and Adaptation in Maldives," which was accepted by the Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) Special Climate Change Fund.
Discussions were initiated among relevant government authorities and stakeholders to determine the activities to be carried out, with a centric focus on the Southern Atolls of the Maldives.
During the workshop, both international and Maldivian consultants provided valuable insights relevant to the project.
Moreover, the Ministry affirmed that once assessments for preparatory work commence, the islands where the projects will be implemented will be finalized. It was also reiterated that the entire project document will be completed and submitted to GEF by December.
In her address at the inaugural ceremony of the workshop, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare Dr. Aishath Rameela underscored the vulnerability of the agricultural sector to rapid climate changes. She further highlighted the importance of fully optimizing "Climate Smart Technology" at all stages of agricultural processes.
The primary objective of this project is to identify potential measures to address challenges faced by food-producing systems due to significant changes in the world's climate. The ministry notably expressed optimism that this project could significantly tackle obstacles faced by islanders, particularly those whose main and predominant source of income is from sectors like agriculture and fisheries, paving the way for sustainable food security.