The Maldives and India have explored potential avenues for cooperation in developing the agricultural sector of the Maldives during discussions held between Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, Dr Maryam Mariya, and Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives, G Balasubramaniam.
The meeting, which took place at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, focused on several key areas of collaboration. One of the primary topics was providing technical assistance to the Maldivian agricultural sector through Indian technical experts. The discussions also included establishing resources to collaborate with Indian agricultural product marketing organisations to promote locally grown Maldivian agricultural products.
Food security was another critical topic, with both sides discussing strategies to strengthen the resilience of the Maldivian food system. Given that the Maldives imports a significant portion of its food from India, the discussions highlighted the importance of enhancing local production and reducing dependency.
The two parties also discussed the potential for cooperation in the field of animal welfare. This included initiatives to improve standards and practices in the Maldives. Additionally, they explored ways to increase higher education opportunities in agriculture for Maldivian students, ensuring long-term development in the field.
India, known as one of the region’s most advanced countries in agriculture, plays a significant role in the Maldives’ food supply. The discussions aim to strengthen the bilateral relationship by fostering mutually beneficial collaboration in agriculture and animal welfare, which could contribute to greater food security and economic opportunities for the Maldives.
