Banana produces to be increased by 50 percent via program implemented through WDCs

The government has announced a special program on Thursday aimed at increasing production of banana varieties in the Maldives in order to reduce imports.

Agriculture Ministry said the purpose of the program is to increase production of banana varieties in the Maldives by 50 percent by 2028.

According to the Ministry, the program will be implemented through Women’s Development Committees (WDCs) in islands.

To implement the program, the Ministry will be providing certain aid, including provision of banana seedlings and fertilizers and conducting technical information sessions.

The responsibilities of WDCs under the program include attaining and cleaning land plots ideal to plant banana plants, digging holes to plant banana seedlings and caring for the plants under the proposed plan.

The Ministry underscored a correlation between increased imports of banana varieties to the Maldives in light of increased tourist arrivals to the country.

As such, the program is aimed at decreasing banana imports by 25 percent by 2028, the Ministry added.

Under this program, special areas will be allocated in farmlands at residential islands for banana produces and banana seedlings produced at a tissue culture laboratory in the national laboratory facility being developed in Fuvahmulah City will be provided to famers at a cheaper rate.

Moreover, special training programs will be conducted for farmers interested in producing banana varieties with plans to add value to decrease the rate of banana produces that go unsold and ultimately overripe.

The Ministry states 500 varieties of banana plants will be planted across the Maldives through WDCs under this program.

WDCs interested in participating in the program have been invited to submit proposals by 14:00pm on September 25^th.

Banana varieties grow easily in the Maldives and have historically been among the most commonly cultivated plants in the country.