Maldives: Maldives Agriculture Profile 2011

Reference Date: 26-May-2011

The entire land area of the country is only 300 sq km of which some 9 000 hectares are covered with permanent crops dominated by coconuts and only 3 990 hectares are considered arable. Practically no cereals are produced, hence the population of 314 000 is heavily dependent on imported food stuffs. Current imports of wheat and rice are steady at about 45 000 tonnes per annum.

The Maldives has, however, very productive fisheries sector which provides a good source of food locally and income by supplying to the tourism industry which caters for some 700 000 tourists annually.

The main issue in the Maldives within the agriculture sector is to develop better linkages to the tourism industry for the marketing of agriculture produce in order to enhance the livelihoods of the farmers and better ensure their food security. The largest danger facing farmers is depletion of the freshwater aquifers used for irrigation as well as drinking purposes.

Overall food security is satisfactory.

08/12/2010  The entire land area of the country is only 300 sq km of which some 9 000 hectares are covered with permanent crops dominated by coconuts and only 3 990 hectares are considered arable. Practically no cereals are produced, hence the population of 314 000 is heavily dependent on imported food stuffs. Current imports of wheat and rice amount to about 45 000 tonnes per annum.

The Maldives has, however, very productive fisheries sector which provides a good source of food locally and income by supplying to the tourism industry which caters for some 700 000 tourists annually.

The main issue in the Maldives within the agriculture sector is to develop better linkages to the tourism industry for the marketing of agriculture produce in order to enhance the livelihoods of the farmers and better ensure their food security. The largest danger facing farmers is depletion of the freshwater aquifers used for irrigation as well as drinking purposes. (Based on TCA and FAOR Brief).

Overall food security is satisfactory.