No shortage of grains ahead of Ramazan: Gov't

The government has assured that there will be no shortage of grains and commonly consumed food commodities ahead of the fasting month of Ramazan.

Spokesperson for the President's Office Mabrook Azeez made the remarks in a press conference held on Wednesday, detailing efforts being made by the government to ensure food security for citizens across the Maldives ahead of the fasting month of Ramazan. Spokesperson Mabrook noted that efforts were being made across the utilities sector to establish better networks, as Ramazan is noted as a period where electricity usage boosts for households across Maldives.

In addition to this, Mabrook noted that the government was working to ensure that there would be no shortage of grains and commonly consumed food commodities ahead of the fasting month of Ramazan. He noted that 100,000 sacks of rice, 50,000 sacks of flour, and 27,000 sacks of sugar had been placed in storage ahead of the fasting month, as Ramazan is a period where households are reported to consume more food on average than during the rest of the year. Spokesperson Mabrook noted that onions, eggs, and potatoes were also being distributed to different regions of the Maldives to prevent shortages, in addition to flour, rice and sugar. Mabrook added that imports had also increased to cater to the growing demands of residents during Ramazan, detailing that the number of containers being cleared had increased to 270 from 150 ahead of the fasting month.

Spokesperson for the President's Office Mabrook Azeez highlighted that STO now had 217 agents across the Maldives to cater to all inhabited islands, and that this would help in ensuring food security and storing essentials to deter shortages during Ramzan.

Further, Mabrook noted efforts being made on behalf of AgroNat to fix prices of watermelons, chilies and coconuts grown in the Maldives, with contracts signed between AgroNat and 363 farmers across the Maldives at this time to prevent prices of goods from fluctuating. Spokesperson Mabrook also remarked that efforts were being made on behalf of the Maldives Police Service and WAMCO ahead of the fasting month of Ramazan, due to begin next week.