The cabinet has decided to use ADh Ariyadhoo, an uninhabited island near Maamigili, for the national program to cultivate palm trees.
The cabinet has decided to use ADh Ariyadhoo, an uninhabited island near Maamigili, for the national program to cultivate palm trees.
The island was designated as such, under the care of the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, during Sunday's cabinet meeting.
The Agriculture Ministry said that under the program, a 'Coconut Development Centre' will be established in Ariyadhoo. On the island, nurseries of genetically improved coconut palms will be cultivated, they said.
The island will also provide various certified grafted palms to other islands.
Maldives currently has very aged palm trees, with the country facing a shortage in the supply of coconuts. The ministry said that the project in Ariyadhoo will provide varieties of palm trees, as well as contribute towards ensuring food security.
Adaptive research will also be conducted on the island to identify diseases generally faced by palm trees. Biological controls to prevent such diseases will also be cultivated on the island, they said.
The ministry has also decided to open up the project for foreign investment so as to secure necessary technical and financial resources.
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