Govt launches quality assurance audit on agriculture produce

The government has launched a special quality assurance audit on farming produce, under the Good Agricultural Practices certification (M-GAP certification) initiative, said the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare Dr. Aishath Rameela on Sunday evening.

She confirmed this in an interview on ‘Raajje Miadhu’ program of the state-run Public Service Media (PSM).

In her interview, the minister said the M-GAP certification aims to assess the quality of the crops and produce harvested in local farms, and ensure they meet international standards.

“We have brought foreign auditors for the initiative to audit if the crops harvested meet internationally recognized standards. This means whether farming practices utilize chemicals, nutrients or fertilizers and if such means meet these standards,” the minister said.

Under the initiative, Shaviyani atoll Goidhoo has already received M-GAP certification, added Minister Rameela.

While highlighting the significant duration incurred for the certification process, the minister said farms or its proprietors will be certified based on set criteria which include spatial requirements for crop fields and skilled labors or workforce.

Additionally, other relevant information required for the certification process should be readily available from these farms as well.

The minister added these measures focus on assuring the produce meets specific health and quality standards, which Dr. Rameela added is important in ensuring the consumers receive healthy food products.

“M-GAP certified fields instill greater confidence since we can guarantee they utilize less pesticides or harmful substances during farming,” the minister added.

She noted on the loss of consumer confidence on locally produced food, with primary consumer concerns towards the quality of the food produced with extensive chemical usage.

Dr. Rameel said the audit will resolve the loss of consumer trust.

Besides the quality assessment audit, the ministry has several other initiatives aimed at the comprehensive industrial improvement in its pipeline, which includes a first-time-ever ‘Agriculture Census’ initiative aimed at collecting and collating all relevant data related to farming.

This initiative will be a collaborative effort with the Maldives Bureau of Statistics.

Dr. Rameela said this census will provide previously non-existent data related to food produce and their economic impact.

She also revealed of key agreements signed, one with Chinese government, that includes research into the diseases found in local palm trees and the development of an assessment framework for the wildlife imported to the Maldives.

The minister had concluded her interview with PSM highlighting agricultural expansion remains a key policy of the current government, and assuring the ministry’s efforts to realize this vision.