Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare Dr. Aishath Rameela has revealed that the government has decided the crops to be cultivated in the agricultural economic zone, along with the extent to which imports can be reduced as a result of the harvest. She made the remarks while speaking at a programme aired on PSM News Expanding the agricultural sector and reducing reliance on imported agricultural products are among the top priorities of the current administration. To achieve this objective, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has designated a specific area—the agricultural economic zone—for the cultivation of various crops to enhance food security. Shedding light on the policies utilised by President Dr. Muizzu, to develop the agriculture industry, Minister Dr. Rameela underscored the critical importance of food security in the face of climate change. Stressing that the Maldives is a country which depends on imports of agricultural products, the minister emphasised the importance of disaster preparations and harvesting in advance. The minister indicated that the government has selected several key crops for cultivation that are vital to the nation’s needs. She also announced that an international company has been chosen to begin harvesting operations next year. Furthermore, Minister Dr. Rameela noted that onions, potatoes, garlic, and a variety of fruits and vegetables will be grown in the agricultural zone. The minister stated that once certain produce reaches sufficient quantities, the importation of those products will be entirely halted. Additionally, she mentioned that the government has determined the extent to which imports can be reduced in this sector. On March 28, Maldives Industrial Development Free Zone (MIDFZ) and China’s Harbor Engineering Company Limited (CHEC) entered into an agreement to collaborate on the development of an agricultural zone aimed at facilitating the provision of safe produce. The government is also working on establishing a national laboratory to test agricultural products.
