Agro National Corporation Limited (AgroNat) has begun purchasing products of local farmers to market it and establish a supply chain for local produce during the fasting month of Ramadan 1441.
The company was launched to develop the agriculture industry of the island nation and aims to reduce the country’s dependency on imports for agricultural products.
In a Twitter post early Wednesday, the company revealed that they will be purchasing local produce from farmers in cooperation with island councils.
Farmers interested to sell their produce may inform their respective focal points through 3320834 in the atolls:
- Haa Alif,
- Haa Dhaal,
- Shaviyani,
- Noonu,
- Baa,
- Raa
- Lhaviyani,
- Kaafu,
- Alif Alif,
- Alif Dhaal,
- Vaavu,
- Meemu and
- Faafu
The contact number 3320835 if available for the remaining atolls and information will be collected through the island councils. Vendor registrationformshave been made available as well and applicants are required to provide their tax ID number, personal details and business details.
After registration, both parties will cooperate in order to carry out sales transactions in accordance with the agreement reached.
Local produce will be transported to Maldives capital, Malé City where it will be weighed. If any issues are observed, they will be communicated with the farmer and payments will be made for the goods sold.
This comes at a time the country has been immersed in the impacts of the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, which has heavily impacted the the main source of revenue, the tourism industry after the country closed its borders on March 27.
Following this, the government launched several initiatives to boost the country's agricultural and fisheries industries.