President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has affirmed that the government’s strategies to reshape the fisheries and agriculture sectors would strengthen and enrich the industries. He was speaking about reforming Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) operations and agriculture sector developments at a meeting yesterday morning with the fishing and farming communities of Foakaidhoo Island of North Miladhunmadulu Atoll.
One of the main concerns of farmers is supply-chain management. President Solih said the government formed the Agro National Corporation (AgroNAT) last year to alleviate such concerns, expedite an efficient supply chain, and ensure fair prices for farmers.
While icing fish is a means to ensure freshness of the catch, acquiring ice had been a pertinent concern for fishers and getting a fair market price for the catch. At the meeting, President Solih briefed the community on the government’s strategies; boosting MIFCO’s capacity, add value to exports, utilising its vessels for exports, in addition to cost-cutting measures. He further assured that the government would hold talks with private parties to ensure fair prices for fish while they requested to develop an ice plant on the island.
Earlier in the day, President Solih went to the Foakaidhoo Island Health Centre, met the staff, and briefed them on a health centre expansion project planned for next year. He also stopped by at the football field.
After the meeting with the fishing and farming communities, the President inquired about the progress of the powerhouse upgrading and relocation project and inspected the under-construction harbour. Before he departed from the island, he boarded a fishing vessel on the dock and conversed with the fishermen.
Foakaidhoo Island is the third destination in the President and First Lady’s ongoing three-day trip to eight islands in North Miladhunmadulu and North Maalhosmadulu Atolls. Cabinet ministers, senior executives from the President’s Office and a delegation of high-level government officials accompany them on this trip.
