Agriculture Minister Dr. Mariyam Mariya has stated that the Maldives is prioritizing sustainable agricultural practices by reducing the use of chemicals and promoting the production of organic fertilizer from discarded fish and food waste.
Speaking at a High-Level Ministerial Special Event organized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Minister Mariya emphasized the Maldives’ commitment to improving soil quality through environmentally friendly methods.
She noted that with 90 percent of food being imported, the Maldives places strong emphasis on developing its agriculture sector to enhance food security. The Minister also highlighted the nation’s vulnerability to climate change, which adds to the sector’s challenges.
“We are introducing hydroponics and vertical farming, and training is underway on modern farming techniques,” she said. “Our goal is to reduce dependency on imported chemicals and create plant nutrients from food and fish waste.”