Agro National Corporation Limited (AgroNat) has discussed challenges it faces to implement its mandate. The discussions were held between Managing Director of AgroNat Haroon Rasheed and Minister of Fisheries, Marine Resources, and Agriculture Dr. Hussain Rasheed Hassan.
Speaking to PSM News, Managing Director Haroon said they discussed funding AgroNat's aim of establishing storage systems in the islands with assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Haroon said other points of discussion included providing the opportunity for farmers under contract with AgroNat to receive loans from SME Development Finance Corporation (SDFC). Minister Hassan has agreed to provide the fisheries ministry's full support to AgroNat's aims, including establishing local storage systems and providing more opportunities to receive funding, he said.
AgroNat was established by the government to market agricultural produce from local farms and provide a better income for farmers by providing technical and financial assistance to local farmers and helping them to market their produce. So far, farmers from 45 islands have begun the fieldwork under the first phase of the contract farming project.