Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Dr. Mohamed Shainee has stated that the creation of cooperative societies in the agricultural sector is one of the most successful ventures of the administration of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
Answering a question regarding efforts by the current administration towards providing a suitable income to local farmers, the Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture stated that the main concern lies in the inaccessibility to the right market.
Minister Shainee stated that through extensive research, the administration came up with a project to establish various cooperative societies in this sector.. Minister Shainee explained that the concept of these societies was to accumulate the farming produce under one roof, in order to provide a large and apposite market. He highlighted that the creation of cooperative societies in the agricultural sector has been one of the most successful ventures of the administration as the complaints filed about market accessibility have significantly decreased.
"Cooperative Society came through IFAD project. We have now seven societies. Some are working very well. So the idea is that all framers bring their product to cooperative society and market, as one," Minister Shainee said.
Currently Maldives has seven cooperative societies functioning in islands such as Meedhoo of Addu city and Hoarafushi of Haa Alifu atoll. The Minister also shed light on the project implemented in December 2017, to introduce climate resilient plants. He stated that the project has a huge potential for the farming industry for a nation which is very sensitive to climate change.
Minister Shainee revealed that that the plants distributed by the ministry are resilient to environmental occurring such as flood, drought and even strong winds. Minister Shainee concluded by stating that the agricultural sector is witnessing a brighter future with the initiatives taken by the current administration by installing progressive projects such as hydroponic systems and irrigation systems.
“We have done research for about 1 and a half to 2 years. We have polished the products and we are distributing them to farmers. They are growing really well” Minister Shainee said.
Fruits such as pineapple, dragon fruit and grapes are cultivated as climate resilient plants, according to information provided by the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture, Cacti and orchids are also cultivated under this project.