President: Solar-powered cold storage facilities in nine islands will be operationalized soon

The distribution centers and solar-powered cold storage facilities built by the Agro National Corporation (AgroNat) in nine islands will be operationalized soon, states President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

He made the comment during the ceremony held in K. Kaashidhoo on Sunday evening to celebrate National Farmers’ Day and World Food Day.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Solih said that though marketing produce may not be a problem for farmers in islands such as Kaashidhoo and AA. Thoddoo due to established supply routes to Male’ and Felivaru, it continues to be a great challenge for farmers in larger Maldives.

President Solih said that the establishment of the AgroNat was one of his administration’s solutions to the issue.

“The corporation has formed agreements with 715 farmers across Maldives and are purchasing and distributing their produce,” he said.

President Solih said the AgroNat does not provide a wholistic solution to the problem, and that there is much left to be done.

President Solih said that one of the biggest tasks is to facilitate the distribution of fresh produce.

As such, AgroNat has now built solar-powered cold storage facilities in nine islands, he said.

“The facilities will be operationalized soon. With that, the services of AgroNat will be expanded,” he said.

President Solih said the government has hosted multiple forums over the last four years to seek opinion from various stakeholders regarding expanding the local agriculture sector.

One of the biggest complaints from farmers is the lack of availability of sizable land for long-term lease, he said.

President Solih said that when Maldives celebrated Farmers’ Day last year, the biggest concern of farmers had been the low limit of agricultural loans issued by the government, followed by the difficulties faced by individual farmers to obtain loans due to difference between individual farmers and large companies.

President Solih said his administration listened to the concerns and provided a solution to the issues.

“Now, individuals can apply for loans of up to MVR 2 million,” he said.

President Solih spoke about the large gap between supply and demand for produce, and the challenges faced by farmers in supplying fresh produce.

He said that there were two good markets for produce in Maldives; residential islands and resorts, guesthouses and other tourist businesses.

President Solih said that Maldives produces nowhere close to the vegetables and fruits needed by the two markets.

He said the country needs to expand the agricultural sector in light of the various global shocks such as health crises and conflicts.

“Two years back, the greatest threat to global food security was the Covid-19 pandemic. And now, it’s the war in Ukraine,” he said.

President Solih said that such global shocks pose multiple threats to food security. He said that such threats must be treated with the seriousness it deserves and requires proactive action.

No country has food security now despite the expansion of import/export, and Maldives, even less so, he said.

He said the solution to the issue lies in a significant expansion in the local agricultural sector.

It is particularly important to expand the agricultural sector so there’s enough local produce to meet the demand in Maldives, he said.

President Solih said the Agriculture Ministry is focused on increasing the production of the 17 types of produce grown in Maldives.

“There are also many more projects in the plans. One of that is to grow the 17 types of fruits and vegetables in 30 percent of the land in islands leased for farming,” he said.

President Solih said AgroNat is also preparing to introduce a new farming model to five islands in three atolls; Kaashidhoo, N. Manadhoo, N. Landhoo, N. Maafaru, and L. Isdhoo. He said the project involves developing 100,000 square feet of land with modern farming facilities in the islands.

President Solih also spoke about the need to embrace organic farming.

“Both developed and developing nations are now focusing on organic farming. Leaving behind chemicals and growing organic produce must be our top priority now,” he said.

President Solih said that farmers need to be trained and given access to the facilities for organic farming. He said the Agricultural Ministry has trained 1,390 farmers in 49 islands over the last four years.

President Solih said that in the modern world, farming does not require large and empty land.

“The roofs of homes are farmland. Schools and parks are farmland. Nations with land shortage such as Singapore are practicing this. This is something we must focus on as we utilize modern technology,” he said.

President Solih noted that the National Farmers’ Day this year is being celebrated in one of the most famous farming islands in Maldives.

He said that Kaashidhoo grows almost all types of produce, and that it is no longer the people of the island who farm in Kaashidhoo, but farmers across Maldives are investing in the island.

President Solih said it shows great promise for the future of the agricultural sector in Maldives.

He noted that Thoddoo, another island famous for farming, is facing serious challenges, such as the depletion of the freshwater layer in the island.

He said that the government is preparing to launch an Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded project to solve the issue.

“The project involves watering the farms using a solar-powered machine. ADB has confirmed MVR 46 million for the project. God willing, practical work on the project will begin in 2023,” he said.

President Solih said that ascertaining food security requires long-term national projects.

He said his administration has done much in the way of easing the financial burden of farmers, including cutting import duty on 191 types of products used for farming.

President Solih also spoke about the need to use environment-friendly modern technology in farming.

“The administration is working to minimize water wastage and provide the systems most suitable for the Maldivian environment to farmers,” he said.

Sunday’s ceremony was also attended by Agriculture Minister Dr. Hussain Rasheed Hassan and Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir.