Agro National Corporation (AgroNat) is set to commence agricultural programs related to contract farming and research in three of the nation's northernmost atolls.

Managing Director for the AgroNat Haaroon Rasheed revealed that the company would be beginning programs related to agriculture and farming in islands of Haa Alif, Haa Dhaalu and Shaviyani Atoll.

AgroNat is a state-owned company entrusted with the overall mandate to assist in developing the agricultural sector and marketing agricultural goods in the Maldives. AgroNat has announced that the program will be initiated very soon and that the company would work in association with the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture to execute it in the northernmost atolls of the Maldives, with plans in place to conduct contract farming and research projects in the islands being targeted under this program.

Due to limitations presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, AgroNat has mostly focused their efforts along the Greater Male' Region in recent months, but has slowly begun expanding their operations to different atolls as Covid-restrictions are eased across the coutry.

AgroNat announced that they had now completed discussions with farmers from different islands, with the Ministry of Agriculture confirming that the company had now begun disseminating information about contract farming regulations in 80 select islands.

Opportunities for contract farming have been introduced in an additional 11 islands as well. Only islands of Laamu atoll were eligible for contract farming in the first phase of the initiative, with AgroNat signing agreements with the islands of Laamu Gan, Isdhoo, Kalaidhoo and Fonadhoo at the time.

AgroNat revealed that the second phase of the contract farming initiative presented opportunities of contract farming to the islands of F. Magoodhoo, Sh. Goidhoo, Sh. Narudhoo, B. Maalhos, R. Vaadhoo, R. Fainu, N. Manadhoo, G.A. Nilandhoo, G.A. Gemanafushi, Gn. Fuvahmulah and S. Meedhoo.

The program was initiated in association with the United Nations Development Programme. AgroNat has revealed that the aim of the program is to reduce the Maldivian government's reliance on imports to ensure food security in the country.

The agreements signed between AgroNat and farmers will see the company buy their produce and make them available for sale across the nation, giving farmers a fair opportunity to market and make an equitable income from their produce.