National Fisheries and Agricultural Policy 2019-2029

The National Fisheries and Agricultural Policy is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach and lays down strategies that will lead the sustainable development of the Maldives’ fisheries and agricultural sectors in the next ten years. The overall purpose of this policy is to transform the fisheries and agriculture sectors into a sustainably managed and market-oriented system, in order to alleviate poverty through greater economic empowerment, as well as to improve food security, the nutritional state and the overall health status of the population, whilst significantly contributing to sustainable environmental management. This policy has been prepared with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Food and nutrition security will be ensured by increasing the contribution of fisheries and agriculture sectors. Healthy nutrition initiatives will be promoted to raise consumer awareness on multiple health benefits associated with the consumption of fisheries products and highly nutritious agricultural commodities. Emphasis will be given on the production and marketing of selected field crops in which the country has the potential to attain self-sufficiency. Explorative activities will be carried out in the oceanic fisheries sub-sector to secure diversification of food supply.
Fisheries management and conservation will be strengthened in an environmentally sustainable manner by prioritizing ecofriendly activities in all the fisheries sub-sectors, such as reef fisheries, oceanic fisheries, aquaculture, and post-harvest processing. Integrated production systems will be established to improve the sustainable use of natural resources as well as productivity in the fisheries sector. Programs, tools and equipment will be adopted to ensure biodiversity protection and effective control of fish species population, coral, plants, beneficiary insects, including pollinators, and other animals. Furthermore, agricultural production will be increased with agroecology-based principles as well as infrastructures and equipment that rely on clean energy in order to improve the sustainable use of natural resources. Access to clean water and efficient irrigation systems will be provided to farmers
Job creation and income generation opportunities will be increased to secure the livelihoods of fishing communities and farmers. Small and medium-scale processing facilities will be established throughout the country to increase processing activities in local fishing communities in order to stimulate value-addition and generate alternative income sources. The capacity of farmers, crop and livestock producers, fishers, fishing communities, transporters and processors will be enhanced in order to increase their knowledge and awareness. Extension services will be provided through centers for technical development, seed distribution and technical training. The participation and contribution of disadvantaged groups in the communities, such as women, youth, people living with disabilities, will be promoted and employment schemes will be implemented in the fisheries and agriculture sectors, especially for them.
The fisheries sector will be strengthened in order to increase its competitiveness and ensure sustainable management of all marine living resources. The existing Monitoring Control Surveillance system will be improved to protect marine resources and ensure their sustainable use, including the licensing of subsistence fishing and local market fleets. The sustainable growth of the aquaculture sub-sector will be supported by improving the marketing capacities of stakeholders involved in the aquaculture sub-sector, providing technical training, information and transfer of technology, carrying out education, research and innovative projects, and encouraging the establishment of milkfish seed production facilities and the production of domestic fish feeds. The competitiveness of the fisheries sector will be promoted, improved and sustained in both domestic and foreign markets. Access to information on prices and market opportunities will be provided to all stakeholders by establishing a fish marketing system. Moreover, food safety will be ensured by implementing a national regulatory program for traceability, quality inspection and control systems, before and after harvest, as well as during transport, storage, processing, and export of all fisheries and agricultural products. Certification mechanisms will be established for aquaculture commodities in order to facilitate their marketing. Biosecurity measures will be taken in the aquaculture sub-sector to control the spread of aquatic diseases. The agriculture sector will be strengthened by improving the value of agriculture produces through linking the farmers to market. Ecologically friendly and resilient production systems will be enabled for farmers, such as onsite compost and biofertilizers production, in order to increase value-addition and improve sustainable waste management. Sustainable use of local agricultural resources for the production of fertilizers, pesticides, animal feeds and other inputs will be facilitated to reduce the dependency on imports in order to improve the competitiveness of the agriculture sector at the national and international levels.
Climate change adaptation and mitigation will be integrated into agricultural production to effectively manage the impacts of climate change, including rise of temperatures, higher frequency of droughts and storms, soil erosion, sea water evaporation, excessive salted water infiltrating cultivable lands, deprivation of natural ecosystems and shortage of access to clean water for animal and plant species.