Agro National Corporation (AgroNat) has stated the company plans to provide a sustainable supply of agricultural produce to resorts.
AgroNat was established by the government to market agricultural produce from local farms and provide a better income for farmers. The company has established contracts with farmers from 47 islands, to produce 17 different types of fruits and vegetables.
Speaking to PSM News, Managing Director of AgroNat Haaroon Rasheed said the target is to limit the import of these 17 types of items to the Maldives. Noting 90% of imported fruits and vegetables are supplied to resorts, Haaroon said AgroNat aims to supply these items to resorts in a sustainable manner. He said the contracts established with local farmers will ensure the items are produced in a large scale which will allow the items to be supplied continuously to resorts.
Some of the items produced under contract farming include pumpkin, eggplant, melon, papaya, watermelon, butter nuts, tomato, cucumber, beans, capsicum, lettuce and cabbage. AgroNat is providing technical and financial assistance to local farmers to produce these items, and helping them to market their produce.