The Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy and the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch agroforestry farms across ten selected islands of the archipelago.
The agreement aims to strengthen national food security, support the nationwide 5 Million Trees Planting Programme, and promote sustainable economic development.
Under the MoU, the Agriculture Ministry will provide 400,000 saplings to be planted on the designated islands, where the lands will be converted into mixed‑use agroforestry systems combining fruit‑bearing trees, nitrogen‑fixing species, and staple crops.
The initiative dovetails with the ongoing 5 Million Trees Planting Programme, which to date has seen 1.8 million trees planted nationwide. In addition, the Ministries announced that agreements have already been secured with the respective island councils to set up ten community‑run nurseries—one on each participating island—to ensure a steady supply of planting material and local stewardship.
According to the Environment Ministry, the integration of trees into agricultural landscapes will not only increase yields and diversify farmer incomes, but also enhance carbon sequestration, protect fragile coral‑reef ecosystems from runoff, and improve resilience to climate‑related stresses.
The Agriculture Ministry added that the agroforestry farms are expected to generate new market opportunities for agro‑processed products, thereby reducing the Maldives’ reliance on imported food and moving the nation toward greater self‑sufficiency.