Work being carried out with the assistance of the Chinese government is beginning to provide solutions to diseases affecting trees across the Maldives, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has said.
Tree and plant diseases have long been a major concern for farmers in the Maldives. The government has been undertaking various initiatives to address the issue.
As part of these efforts, a team of experts from the Environment and Plant Protection Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) has been working in the Maldives to identify solutions to diseases affecting trees and crops.
Minister Shiyam said that the government is also collaborating with a chinese company to adress the widespread coconut palm infestation, locally known as "Ruku Madi". He said that assessement are currently underway and that priority will be given to islands where the issue is most prevelant. According to the minister, analysis is being conducted at the Agriculture Center in Hanimaadhoo.
"The findings from the studies carried out at the Hanimaadhoo centre indicate that the work being undertaken with the support of the Chinese government is producing solutions to diseases affecting trees. Efforts are now focused on rolling out these solutions as quickly as possible to islands where the problem has spread," Shiyam said.
The ministry said CATAS has also supplied systemic pesticides to help control the white beetle and the coconut hispid beetle. Training on the proper use of the pesticides is already being provided on several islands, with awareness sessions having been conducted in Baarah, Haa Alifu Atoll.
To strengthen plant health management, the Maldives has also established a national laboratory dedicated to analysing plant diseases. The laboratory has been set up to support national agricultural research, improve disease diagnosis, enhance laboratory infrastructure, and overcome existing technical limitations. The ministry said the facility will improve agricultural productivity, strengthen pest and disease control, and enhance the country's biosecurity.
The ministry has signed an agreement with the CATAS to collaborate on controlling coconut palm diseases and conducting further research into plant diseases affecting the country.
The ministry emphasised that lasting solutions cannot be achieved without proper scientific research. A two-year action plan has therefore been developed to guide the work. At the same time, efforts are underway to expand participation from the private sector and state-owned enterprises to ensure the programme can continue on a sustainable, long-term basis.