Efforts were made by the Gov’t to raise prices of local goods-Pres.

In his third Presidential Address, President Mohamed Nasheed has said that efforts were made by the government to raise the prices of poultry farming and agricultural yield through the production and marketing of locally produced goods.

The President said that much work was also done by the government last year to develop agriculture in the Maldives. He said that agricultural products of 3 islands were brought out to the market by contracting tourist resorts and food supply companies in this regard.

In addition, President Nasheed said that 1.7 million Rufiyaa worth of goods were made available to farmers at reasonable rates and 1,932 farmers were trained in various aspects of agriculture.

Addressing the People’s Majlis, the President said that preliminary work was also done for the establishment of the first veterinary clinic in the Maldives last year. He said that four uninhabited islands were leased by the government for agriculture, and soft loans worth Rf 18 million were extended to 332 agricultural workers.

Furthermore, the President said that significant measures to be implemented this year includes, granting subsidies worth a total of 50 million Rufiyaa, paving the way for farmers in 25 islands to market their agricultural goods on a regular basis, and the setting up of an Agricultural School in Laamu Atoll Gan to train farmers in advanced agricultural techniques.