Agro National Corporation Limited (AgroNat) has made public the design for the two 65-foot fiberglass boats to be used to easily transport fruits and vegetables produced by farmers.
The boats are designed to modern standards, consisting of refrigeration systems to store the produce by farmers. The boats will have cargo compartments and storage areas. The cargo compartments are 6x18ft and are designed to be air-conditioned and temperature controlled. In addition, the crew will be provided with accommodation and meals. The boats are also designed with a solar power system on the deck which will be used to power the refrigeration systems to keep the produce cool. Therefore, the cost of electricity will also be reduced on the vessels.
The project is funded by the government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will provide technical assistance for the construction of the boats. In collaboration with AgroNat, fresh produce from farmers will be transported in boats throughout the Maldives.
AgroNat was established by the government to market agricultural produce from local farms and provide a better income for farmers. The corporation has established contracts with farmers for various different types of fruits and vegetables. AgroNat is providing technical and financial assistance to local farmers to produce these items and helps them to market their produce.