Government Aims to Draw More Maldivians into Agriculture with Modern Technology: Minister Shiyam

The objective of the government is to bring more Maldivians into agriculture by making them proficient in modern technology, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources Ahmed Shiyam has said. The minister made the remarks in an interview given to PSM News while he was in Addu Meedhoo on the occasion of National Farmers' Day. This year's National Farmers' Day is being officially commemorated in Addu Meedhoo. Minister Shiyam said that since President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu assumed office, the Maldives' agricultural policies have been designed to ensure food security. Referring to the community in Addu Meedhoo, the minister said it is a very large agricultural community, with approximately 165 farmers practising agriculture in Meedhoo. The minister highlighted the 5 million tree planting programme launched by the President, saying it will greatly help the government's food security programme. He also pointed out that work is underway to build 20 nurseries in various regions of the country, and that the first of these nurseries will be established in Addu Meedhoo. Minister Shiyam noted that farmers in Meedhoo are making a significant contribution to efforts underway to ensure the Maldives' food security. "We are trying to work with communities, especially local communities, to improve agriculture throughout the Maldives in ways that will allow as many Maldivians as possible to participate in agricultural activities. We want to make them proficient in modern technology," Minister Shiyam said. He said the ministry is working with individual islands to expand agriculture in various regions of the country, and that if councils wish to conduct training programmes, the ministry will also provide support for that. The Ministry of Agriculture is working to find solutions to the challenges in the agricultural sector. Minister Shiyam said that under this work, efforts are being made to develop the agriculture industry together with some of the other countries that assist the Maldives.