A high-level meeting has been convened to draft a comprehensive policy aimed at ensuring environmental sustainability and food security in the Maldives.
Organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, World Agroforestry (ICRAF), and the International Center for Forestry Research (CIFOR), the discussions centered on the National Policy on Agroforestry and Trees Outside Forests 2026.
The policy seeks to establish an economically viable and ecologically beneficial system by restoring vegetation across farmlands and residential areas. Recognising the unique environmental conditions and soil challenges of the Maldives’ islands, the framework emphasises the need to protect mangroves and shoreline vegetation while promoting climate-resilient agriculture. It also highlights agroforestry’s role in mitigating climate change impacts and enhancing food security.
Key objectives include empowering agricultural associations, introducing tree-planting incentives, and leveraging scientific research to revive native plant species. The policy envisions transforming agriculture into a climate-adapted and sustainable livelihood, which is expected to boost both environmental protection and agricultural productivity, thereby stimulating economic growth.
Representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture, Tourism, and Environment, alongside local island councils and global agroforestry experts, participated in the meeting. The finalised policy will play a crucial role in safeguarding the Maldives’ fragile ecosystems while securing long-term food and economic resilience.