President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has concluded his trip to Kandoodhoo Island in Thaa atoll.

The president departed on Friday afternoon and returned to the capital on Saturday morning.

During the trip, President Solih inaugurated the food security programme, fertigation system and food exhibition in the island and joined the official reception celebrating National Farmers' Day and World Food Day this year. He also participated in multiple activities to commemorate the National Farmers' Day and World Food Day.

The food exhibition was organized by the Island Council with the support of the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture.

The inauguration of the food security programme saw President Solih present commonly-grown local plants to three farmers from the Island. The first package of eco-friendly, organic fertilizers and pesticides were also presented to the Women's Development Committee (WDC), with an aim to introduce and encourage the use of organic and eco-friendly methods of dealing with pests and other difficulties that arise during farming on the island.

The Fisheries Ministry’s initiative aims to promote the production and easy availability of locally-grown healthy food items and reinvigorate the use of traditional nutritious ingredients used in Maldivian cuisine.

The programme launched on Friday also carries the purpose of ensuring eases are paved for availability on nutritious food items if the island community faces food scarcity.

WDC was also presented with an agroforestry farming plot, equipped with an advanced solar-powered plant watering system and a fertigation system that combines fertilization and irrigation by injecting all water-soluble farming elements into an irrigation system.

A publication by the Agro National Corporation (AgroNAT), the Farmers Handbook was also launched by the president.

Speaking at the official event to commemorate the National Farmers’ Day on Friday night, the president gave his assurance that the government will work with local councils to ease the difficulties in leasing plots of land from residential islands for farming activities.

He noted that the progression of the farming industry is restricted by certain challenges, and cited issues such as space constraints in islands had limited opportunities for the industry to grow, as most farming is carried out in residential islands. With this being said, the president noted that his administration will collaborate with local councils to seek long-term plots of land at reasonable rates for farming activities.

Addressing the numerous challenges farmers face in providing fresh food items to the market, the president stressed that countries with limited land space such as Maldives, will be required to adapt to modern technological advances and scientific data in farming activities. He highlighted that relaying the information to farmers was a challenge and stated that despite the availability of loans for agricultural purposes, these opportunities had not been properly communicated to most farmers.

Solih went on to note that 17 types of fruits and vegetables that ensure food safety are already locally harvested and added that the government plans to curtail and levy taxes on the import of these food types to encourage locally grown produce to enter the market, therefore ensuring food safety.

Even though the agriculture sector currently contributes only 1.7 percent of the GDP, President Solih said that there is enough demand for fresh produce, to influence the rate of contribution to the GDP from the farming and agriculture industry.

Highlighting that the lack of farming space is unfavorable to the progress of the farming sector, Solih stated that adopting new technologies such as vertical farming methods may help begin to address the issue.

Urging farmers to embrace organic farming methods and eco-friendly products as much of farming is reliant on the use of chemicals in producing harvest, Solih reaffirmed that the development of farming is essential to the decentralization of the economy and improving the quality of life.

During the event, two individuals were presented with plaques for their contributions to the advancement of the agriculture sector.

October 15 was declared by the incumbent administration as National Farmers Day during 2020, and it is the first-time activities commemorating the day are being held. The occasion carries the purpose of recognizing efforts and contributions of farmers to ensuring food security and safety. It also carries the purpose of promoting the agriculture all the while connecting the day to World Food Day, allowing farmers to showcase their products and plan events accordingly.

World Food Day falls on October 16.