The government has launched a special programme aimed at increasing banana production and reducing reliance on imports.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare said the main objective of the programme is to boost banana production in the Maldives by 50 percent by the end of 2028. Committees interested in participating in the project must develop and submit a detailed plan.
Plans should include details of the most suitable area for planting 500 banana trees, specifying area size, a marked area chart, and details of farm management.
With the expansion of the tourism industry and growing number of tourists visiting the Maldives, banana imports to the Maldives are increasing year on year. The programme aims to reduce banana imports by 25 percent by the end of 2028.
Under the programme, land will be allocated from inhabited islands for plantain cultivation, with banana seedlings produced in the tissue culture laboratory at the National Laboratory Facility in Fuvahmulah City, and provided to farmers at reduced prices.
The programme also includes plans to conduct special training programmes for farmers interested in banana cultivation and introduce value-added methods to minimise post-harvest losses.
The project will be implemented in collaboration with the Women Development Committees (WDCs), with 500 banana trees to be planted across inhabited islands. The Ministry will provide seedlings, fertilisers and technical guidance throughout the process.
The Ministry has released full details of the programme:
Provide seedlings
Provide necessary fertilisers for the farm
Provide technical guidance
Identify suitable land for planting banana
Clear the land
Dig planting holes
Maintain the farm according to the proposed plan
Bananas are easily grown in Maldivian islands, and have long been cultivated by local farmers. They are also easily sold in the local market. The programme is expected to improve both the quality and quantity of banana production in the Maldives.
WDCs interested in participating in this project should submit their plans to the Ministry of Agriculture by 14:00 on Thursday, 25 September.