President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has urged local farmers, and the agriculture sector to seek organic farming solutions.
The Maldivian head of state made the remarks while speaking with farmers at Kaafu Atoll Kaashidhoo. President Solih traveled to the agriculture-centric island to attend the National Farmers' Day and World Food Day activities.
During his speech, President Solih urged for the importance of seeking alternative, eco-friendly solutions in agriculture processes. He spoke against using harmful chemicals for crop harvesting, which leads to negative end result; including health issues.
Though academic research in the field is lacking in the Maldives, it is globally accepted knowledge that chemical induced harvesting leads to harmful consequences.
Speaking about the potentiality for organic farming, President Solih also acknowledged such a major change cannot be drastic and required careful integration. He drew anecdotal evidence from Sri Lanka, which earlier faced an agricultural crisis owing to its government completely banning fertilizer import.
The Maldives head of state had highlighted Kaashidhoo's importance in agricultural sector. The island has been a major producer of crops, while the island has attracted local agriculture investors interested in placing their stakes in the island's agricultural sector.
With discussions and forums panning last four years, President Solih recognized the major complaint from local farmers attached to lack of sufficient farming land as long-term investment opportunities. Another issue local farmers had highlighted tied to low financial instruments; loans specific to agricultural purposes have less fund sizes.
Speaking at the ceremony to celebrate National Farmers' Day, President Solih notes his administration has provided solution to offset low financial instruments.
State had introduced a financial instrument, with fund size up to MVR 2 million for local farmers towards their agricultural purposes.
Meanwhile, President Solih also highlighted the imbalance between agricultural productivity against demand, as well as challenges in selling fresh produce.
To combat said challenges, state earlier introduced the Agro National Corporation. The company was formed to assist local farmers, in marketing and selling their produce. The state-owned enterprise has already signed 715 local farmers for the initiative.
Agro National Corporation has set up distribution in nine agriculture-centric islands, along with cold storage units powered from renewable energy. President Solih affirms the distribution centers and storage units will open up for use soon, though he did not disclose an exact date.
While noting agricultural importance, the president claims expansion of the field is necessary to avoid food scarcity amid global crises; including pandemics or geopolitical tension.
Meanwhile, Agro National is currently attempting to launch new agricultural models in five islands across three atolls which include Noonu atoll Manadhu, Landhoo and Maafaru, Laamu atoll Isdhoo and Kaafu atoll Kaashidhoo.
Current plans include developing, or reclaiming 100,000 square-foot of land in each of these islands to develop contemporary agricultural practices.
Under President Solih's administration, state had executed training programs in 49 islands that provided necessary training for 1,390 farmers.
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