The location for the government's planned agriculture project with China which aims to secure Maldives' food security and reduce the varieties of fresh produce that need to be imported has been changed from Uthuru Thila Falhu to Fushidhiggaru Falhu.
The location for the government's planned agriculture project with China which aims to secure Maldives' food security and reduce the varieties of fresh produce that need to be imported has been changed from Uthuru Thila Falhu to Fushidhiggaru Falhu.
The previous administration led by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had decided at the time to reclaim more land from Uthuru Thila Falhu to allocate land plots for the public. Uthuru Thila Falhu is being used to build an MNDF dockyard under an agreement said administration had entered into with India.
Once in office, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu reversed this decision and decided instead to conduct an agriculture project with China on the land.
However, STO has confirmed to Mihaaru News that the plans have been changed once again, with the agriculture project to now be carried out at Fushidhiggaru Falhu. They, however, did not provide reasons behind the decision.
In last October's State visit to India, President Muizzu held discussions about continuing the dockyard project at Uthuru Thila Falhu. Further discussions were held to conduct another agricultural project with India as well.
India has reservations about a Chinese company being established in Uthuru Thila Falhu and conducting a project there.
An agreement has been signed between Maldives Industrial Development Free Zone (MIDFZ) and China's Harbour Engineering company Ltd to establish an Agriculture Economic Zone (AEZ) in Maldives to promote sustainable agricultural activity.
Fushidhiggaru Falhu, where the project has now been transferred to, was planned to be built as RasMale', to provide housing in accordance with President Muizzu's pledges.
The President has earlier said that 200 hectares of land would be reclaimed from Uthuru Thila Falhu for the agriculture project, and the project would be conducted inclusive of other agricultural islands in the country. He said that this would facilitate growing sufficient numbers of local produce to cater to Maldivians.
The government has not yet revealed what the 200 hectares being reclaimed in Uthuru Thila Falhu will be used for now.
With the large area required for the agricultural project, it is expected that major changes will come to the RasMale' plans as well now. Reclamation work at Fushidhiggaru Falhu has not yet reached completion.
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