Maldives launches greenhouse farming on 12 islands under eco-agriculture drive
Government rolls out training, grants, and green infrastructure to boost sustainable food production in northern atolls
MALE, Maldives (MNTV) — In a move to promote sustainable agriculture and reduce dependence on imported produce, the Maldives government has launched greenhouse farming across 12 islands in the country’s northern region.
According to The Edition, the initiative is part of the Maldives Agribusiness Program (MAP), which aims to support eco-friendly farming practices and strengthen small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in agriculture. The program targets 26 islands spread across the HA, HDh, and Sh atolls.
Greenhouses have already been established on 12 of these islands, with training sessions held on 11 of them so far. Local farmers are being equipped with skills to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables, including cucumbers, melons, chilies, and capsicum—crops that can help reduce food imports and enhance island-level food security.
The islands where greenhouse cultivation is currently underway include Makunudhoo, Neykurandhoo, Nolhivaramfaru, and Vaikaradhoo in HDh atoll; Kelaa, Uligan, Molhadhoo, and Filladhoo in HA atoll; and Narudhoo, Goidhoo, and Foakaidhoo in Sh atoll.
Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare say the greenhouses are supported by the Agribusiness Machine Grant Scheme, which provides financial and technical aid to farmers and agriculture-based SMEs. In addition to physical infrastructure, the program also includes community workshops, awareness campaigns, and capacity-building activities.
In May last year, the ministry signed an agreement with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Finance Corporation (SDFC) to fund the program. A grant of MVR 15.2 million was allocated to supply farming machinery and equipment to participating islands.
The project is part of a broader government effort to diversify the country’s economy beyond tourism, promote climate-resilient livelihoods, and improve food self-sufficiency in remote and vulnerable island communities.
Agriculture remains a relatively underdeveloped sector in the Maldives, limited by geography, infrastructure, and fresh water access. However, initiatives like MAP are being viewed as essential to supporting local production in an environmentally sustainable way—especially amid rising global food prices and supply chain disruptions.
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