President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has revealed the Agro National Corporation (AgroNat) will sign contracts with farmers in 45 islands within the next two months.
Delivering the 2021 Presidential Address at the Parliament of the Maldives, President Solih stated the main challenge for Maldivian farmers to further expand their business is the lack of marketing and promotion for their products at fair prices, and the uncertainty in getting their products to consumers. He said the government established a 100 percent state-owned company, Agro National Corporation, in order to resolve this issue. He noted, AgroNat assisted farmers during the lockdown last year in getting their products out into the market.
The President further stated with the introduction of contract farming in 45 islands, agreements will be made by AgroNat with local farmers within the next 2 months, to begin environmentally friendly, technology-driven farming. He said the purpose will be to boost food production, reduce food imports and ensure food security.
AgroNat was established by the government to market agricultural produce from local farms and provide a better income for farmers. As such, the corporation has been supplying produce from islands to shops in Male’. The corporation began operations in April last year.