Twenty-five sprayers for treating large trees in public areas of islands have been sent to all atolls of the Maldives, with the aim of controlling pests such as scale insects and gyosy moths and further promoting agricultural activities.
The sprayers were provided to the Maldives under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 6 August 2024 between the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources, the Sichuan Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, and the Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Under the MoU, the Maldives also received USD 100,000 in free assistance in addition to the 25 sprayers.
Under the Decentralisation Act, responsibility for controlling pests affecting trees in public areas of islands lies with the respective island councils. Therefore, the Agriculture Ministry has now handed over the equipment to the city councils of the atolls and the atoll offices of the Local Government Authority (LGA). The arrangement is intended to make it easier and faster to access the sprayers when pest-control measures are required on inhabited islands within an atoll.
It is the responsibility of the relevant city council or atoll office to arrange for a sprayer to be provided to an island within its jurisdiction when required. The councils and atoll offices are also responsible for sharing this information with the respective island councils and establishing arrangements for the maintenance of the sprayers.
The sprayers have been allocated to the following islands: Kulhudhuffushi in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Funadhoo in Shaviyani Atoll, Manadhoo in Noonu Atoll, Ungoofaaru in Raa Atoll, Eydhafushi in Baa Atoll, Naifaru in Lhaviyani Atoll, Thulusdhoo in Kaafu Atoll, Rasdhoo in Alif Alif Atoll, Mahibadhoo in Alif Dhaalu Atoll, Felidhoo in Vaavu Atoll, Muli in Meemu Atoll, Nilandhoo in Faafu Atoll, Kudahuvadhoo in Dhaalu Atoll, Veymandoo in Thaa Atoll, Fonadhoo in Laamu Atoll, Villingili, in Gaafu Alif Atoll, Thinadhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Fuvahmulah City, and Addu City Hithadhoo, as well as Dhidhdhoo in Haa ALif Atoll.
The demand from islands for assistance from the Ministry in eliminating pests such as scale insects and gypsy moths affecting large trees in public areas has been increasing year on year. At the same time, establishing such resources on islands is highly important for strengthening their capacity to implement pest-control programmes at the local level.
The resources provided to atoll councils through this cooperation with China are expected to further strengthen pest-control systems across the islands and contribute significantly to efforts to protect public health and the environment.