The Maldives’ Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, Dr. Aishath Rameela, has called for increased national investment in promoting agricultural products. Speaking at the 52nd session of the Committee on World Food Security in Rome, Dr. Rameela emphasised the importance of enhancing the marketing of domestic agriculture to support the country’s food security efforts.
Addressing the forum, which focused on coordinated policy responses to food crises, the Minister outlined the Maldives’ ongoing efforts to eliminate hunger and ensure access to nutritious food. She also pointed to the challenges faced by the country, which relies heavily on imported food products, a dependency she noted is not a sustainable solution.
Dr. Rameela called for collective action to transform the Maldives’ food system, advocating for environmentally sustainable agricultural practices to secure future food supplies. She also raised concerns about the impact of climate change on agriculture, the limitations posed by land availability, and the disruptions caused by global conflicts and disease outbreaks.
The Minister proposed practical solutions, including promoting urban, school, and community gardening, increasing public awareness of food security issues, and incorporating renewable energy sources into agricultural practices. Dr. Rameela stressed the need for further investment in reducing marketing costs for agricultural products to make them more competitive.
In her remarks, Dr. Rameela reiterated the need for international support, particularly for small island nations like the Maldives, to address food security challenges. She expressed optimism that through information exchange, financial assistance, and technical support, the Maldives can overcome the obstacles currently hindering progress towards sustainable food security.
The session provided a platform for countries to share experiences and strategies, with the Maldives emphasising the urgent need for coordinated global efforts to address the food security crisis.
