An agreement has been signed with China to seek assistance in controlling pests that damage coconut palm trees.

Agriculture Minister Maryam Mariya and Chinese Ambassador Kong Xianhua signed the agreement on July 14.

The two-year agreement is aimed at building food security and agribusiness development.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, the main objective of the project is to control pests that damage coconut palm trees.

The agreement comes amid public dissatisfaction with the government's priority to plant date palm trees instead of the indigenous coconut palm trees.

The government faced criticism for planting date palm trees near the Velana International Airport (VIA) ahead of the inauguration of part of the new terminal.

Meanwhile, a natural enemy laboratory is being set up in Haa Dhaal Hanimaadhoo with the assistance of China to control the coconut hispid beetle.

China agreed to provide assistance to find an environmentally friendly and sustainable solution to control pests in the Maldives during President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's visit to the country.