The Agriculture Ministry on Tuesday signed an agreement with a private company for a pilot project to explore the possibility of large-scale vertical farming in the Maldives.
The project is one of the most important related to agriculture in President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's first 100-day roadmap, the ministry said about the agreement. The project was awarded to the Viisi Group.
"In order to ensure food security in a country with a scarcity of land such as the Maldives, this is work started by the ministry as part of efforts by the government with special attention to introduce modern means for increasing agricultural produce in the most suitable manner for such a country," the ministry informed the media.
Finance Executive Fathimath Shaiaa signed the agreement on behalf of the Agriculture Ministry. Viisi Group Managing Director Ismail Rasheed signed for the company.
Three types of vertical hydroponics setup will be established at the agricultural center in Haa Dhaal Hanimaadhoo under the project, according to the ministry.
Piloting plant growth on vertical A frame structures using the nutrient film technique currently employed in the Maldives and conducting pilot tests for pineapple tower systems and aeroponics tower systems will be carried out under the project.
The government will introduce vertical farming systems to Maldivian farmers based on information gathered from the project by expert teams, the Agriculture Ministry said.
