Ten islands have signed agreements to establish agroforestry farms as part of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s commitment to strengthening food security and achieving the national target of planting five million trees.
The agreements were signed at a special ceremony by State Minister at the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources Mohamed Naif on behalf of the ministry. Representatives of the councils of the ten islands, which have allocated land for the farms, also signed the agreements.
The islands selected for the project are Baarah in Haa Alifu Atoll, Inguraidhoo in Raa Atoll, Kaashidhoo, Maafushi and Thulusdhoo in Kaafu Atoll, Veyvah in Meemu Atoll, Isdhoo in Laamu Atoll, Gemanafushi in Gaafu Alifu Atoll, and Hoandeddhoo and Fiyoaree in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll.
Agroforestry is a sustainable farming system that combines trees and other woody plants with different crops on the same plot of land. The project is being implemented jointly by the Agriculture Ministry and the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy.
The farms will be developed as modern demonstration sites, each covering between two and four hectares. They will primarily cultivate tree species suited to the Maldivian environment alongside crops that can be harvested in the short term.
According to the Agriculture Ministry the approach will support long-term food and timber production while reducing expenditure on imported goods.
The island councils will manage and maintain the farms with technical guidance from the ministry. The farms will also provide local farmers with technical knowledge and training to adopt safer and more sustainable farming practices.
In addition to strengthening food security, the project aims to produce more than 400,000 trees to support the national five-million-tree planting programme. It also seeks to transform agriculture in the Maldives into a modern, environmentally friendly and sustainable industry.
The government has prioritised modernising and sustainably developing agriculture to increase domestic production. Efforts are under way to expand the range of crops grown locally and increase the safe production of fruits and vegetables to strengthen the country's food security.