To bolster long-term food security, the Maldives government will launch a pilot phase of its major agriculture development initiative in Laamu Atoll, ahead of the main project planned for Fushidhiggaru.
Speaking in Parliament today, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare Dr. Mariyam Mariya said a plot of land has already been identified in Laamu, and decisions on crop selection will be made by the end of this month. Groundwork for the pilot is scheduled to begin next month.
The larger initiative—based in Fushidhiggaru—will involve reclaiming 100 hectares of land and includes components such as infrastructure development, establishment of an agricultural industrial park, and construction of cargo and passenger terminals. Physical works at the main site are expected to begin in early 2026.
This project is being implemented under an agreement signed in March last year between Maldives Industrial Development Free Zone Company and China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC).
Minister Mariya noted that while reclamation work in Fushidhiggaru would take time, preparatory activities will continue in parallel to avoid delays in implementation.