The unfortunate combination of harsh monsoon rains and the spreading of pests have devastated most of Thoddoo island’s farm lands.
The island, located in Alifu Alifu atoll, is renowned for being covered by vegetation and farm lands and is the largest producer of watermelons in the country. Watermelons are a staple fruit for locals in the month of Ramadan, which is around the corner and falls is yet estimated to fall on the 27th of May.
Nooh Moosa, the spokesperson for Thoddoo’s council, said that most of the 114 lands leased explicitly to produce watermelons for the upcoming holy month has been destroyed.
Moosa further said that 85 percent of all farms on the island have been completely destroyed; including watermelon, papaya, and cucumber fields.
While he described the destruction to be beyond compensation given that Ramadan is the entire year’s peak period, Moosa said that the island’s farmers have yet to find an effective means to rid their fields of the spreading pests as well.
Moosa noted the recent influx of primary sector products into Maldivian markets at cheap prices, and how this too has been an obstacle that the island’s farmers need to face. However, he was optimistic about the availability of their products throughout Ramadan despite the devastation that Thoddoo’s farms have faced.
