Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has announced the Urban Farming programme in Hulhumale’ is set to be launched early next year.
Urban Farming is an initiative of HDC, conducted in collaboration with Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture, Ministry of Economic Development and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The programme aims to provide the opportunity for residents of Hulhumale’ to earn an income through farming and agriculture. It also aims to promote local production and reduce the dependency on imported food.
Speaking to PSM News, Managing Director of HDC Suhail Ahmed said 16 plots will be issued for farming under the programme, adding site preparation is now underway. Suhail said the process to award the plots will also begin very soon.
The plots issued under the programme are located in an area designated for the farming programme. HDC says the plots will be awarded to recipients after establishing all the facilities required to begin farming. As such, the corporation said the area will include storage, a fertiliser shop and a seed incubator shed.
HDC stated 48 individuals will be selected for the programme. 40% of the plots are allocated for women, while 30% plots are allocated for the youth and disabled people.
HDC said all participants of the programme will be provided agricultural training by Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture before the plots are awarded.