Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare Dr. Aishath Rameela has underscored the pivotal role of the National Agricultural Laboratory in advancing the agricultural industry. The remarks were made by the minister during the signing ceremony held to hand over the developmental project to contractors. The National Agricultural Laboratory is currently being developed in Fuvahmulah City.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Dr. Rameela emphasised the importance of the laboratory in identifying crop diseases and to yield positive results from the efforts of those working in the industry. The minister highlighted the state incurs several expenses due to the lack of adequate resources to test and analyse plant diseases. She added if any study was required to be conducted, it could only be conducted abroad.
Reiterating the government's objective to ensure the agricultural industry boosts economic growth, Minister Dr. Rameela affirmed that the government is exerting maximum efforts to achieve this objective. She noted efforts are underway to ensure that the agricultural industry contributes well to the economic growth. Under the government's efforts to ensure that the agricultural industry is a revenue generating industry, the minister stated that the establishment of the industry will bolster the industry significantly.
The development of the laboratory was contracted to Venza Company Private Limited. The laboratory will be developed focusing on four key areas including soil testing, tissue culture, plant pathology and entomology. It is being developed under the UNDP's Project for Developing Sustainable Agriculture Economy, in collaboration with the UNDP and the Japanese government.