The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare has launched a programme to train and identify lead farmers in the islands where greenhouses are being developed.
The project is being implemented under the Maldives Agribusiness Program (MAP) jointly implemented by the Ministry and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
MAP is a joint initiative between IFAD and the Government of the Maldives, spanning 26 islands across Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, and Shaviyani Atolls.
The training will be conducted in two rounds with a total of 28 participants including 18 farmers and field staff of the Ministry. The first round will be held from 10 to 17 August before the second round from 25 to 30 August at the Hanimaadhoo Agricultural Centre.
One of the primary objectives of the programme, according to the Ministry is to train lead farmers to ensure best agricultural practices and the effective utilisation of the greenhouses built by IFF members.
These include ensuring that the daily activities are carried out as per the designated crop calendar, the checklist is being monitored regularly, helping with field management or greenhouse work with IFF members by identifying areas for improvement with the advice of the Ministry’s extension staff.
The government has developed greenhouses in a dozen islands in the north of the country, amid a renewed push for climate resilient farming in the island nation.