The President Visits Kandoodhoo Farmers

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih visited with farmers from Kandoodhoo Island in Kolhumadulu Atoll, who shared their concerns about their needs and challenges in growing, producing, and selling agricultural goods. The meeting was held on Thursday.  

During the meeting, President Solih informed the farmers that there are several farming prospects in the Maldives, as well as a significant demand for local goods. He invited farmers to participate in the operations of Agro National Corporation, a state-owned business tasked with assisting in the development of the agricultural sector. He described the AgroNAT Corporation's potential and advantages for farmers. 

Kandoodhoo farmers revealed numerous facts about the most pressing challenges they confront. They said that the government's decision to reduce tariff rates on agricultural chemicals did not assist farmers, but rather the corporations that imported such chemicals. They also expressed concern that the AgroNAT plan did not include chilli pepper cultivation, which is one of their primary products, and asked that fair pricing solutions for locally grown fruits and vegetables be investigated.  

They also expressed worries about the availability of farming equipment and supplies, as well as the technical skills necessary for the sector's growth. Farmers also reported that there were some unauthorized foreigners working in Kandoodhoo Farms and requested that President Solih find a method to regularize them as documented foreign employees. 

President Solih responded to farmers' worries about their needs by announcing that the government was considering levying a tax on firms importing commodities that were already manufactured and accessible locally. He also stated that he would look into giving technical knowledge and legalizing the aforementioned undocumented foreign employees, and that all other problems highlighted by the farmers will be addressed with the necessary government authorities in order to find quick and effective answers. 

The President's visit to Kandoodhoo Island was the sixth stop of his official tour of the seven islands of Kolhumadulu Atoll. He concluded the trip afterwards with a trip to Gaadhiffushi and returned back to Male’ on Thursday night.