''Agri Boat'' inaugurated to transport fresh produce

A special vessel "Agri Boat", designed to transport farmers' produce freshly from one island to another, was inaugurated on Tuesday.

"Agri Boat" was inaugurated by Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works Adam Shareef Umar during a special ceremony to held at Hulhumalé port. Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives Takeuchi Midori also participated in the ceremony.

This boat is a special vessel built under the financial assistance of the Japanese government through UNDP Maldives' PDSAE. The boat will be operated by Agro Net.

The "Agri Boat" was designed by the Marine Police of the Maldives Police Service. The Economic Ministry and the Ministry of Agriculture also provided assistance for this project.

This vessel is specifically designed to transport agricultural produce efficiently. It is built to withstand challenging conditions, ensuring smooth travel even during bad weather and rough seas.

This vessel is also designed to minimize environmental damage.

The vessel has a cold and dry storage facility that operates solely on solar power to keep agricultural products fresh during transport. There are also cabins for the crew to rest.

The "Agri Boat" will travel between Malé and L. Atoll.

According to UNDP, they played a significant role in introducing engine-powered vessels to the Maldives in 1978. 45 years later, they are proud to have built and introduced the first solar-powered and environmentally friendly boat in the Maldives.

Agro Net awarded the contract to Fix In Marine Pvt. The company has now been awarded the contract to build another vessel.

During the ceremony, Minister Shareef stated that the Agri Boat service marks a historic achievement that will significantly boost the agricultural industry. He also emphasized that the service will enhance food safety measures across the country.