Vaadhoo Green Farm Opens as Model for Sustainable Agriculture

The Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, Dr Mariyam Mariya, has inaugurated the Vaadhoo Green Farm, a community-led initiative focused on sustainable agriculture, food security and climate resilience in the Maldives.

The project was developed through a partnership between UNDP Maldives, the Vaadhoo Association for Future Development and the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare. It combines commercial-scale hydroponic farming with renewable energy systems to support environmentally sustainable food production at the community level.

The farm is among the largest hydroponic facilities in the country to be fully powered by clean energy. It integrates solar-powered irrigation and cooling systems, rainwater harvesting and environmentally sustainable growing media, reducing environmental impact while improving productivity.

Designed for high-yield production, the facility is expected to produce up to 600 kilogrammes of cucumbers and 400 kilogrammes of leafy vegetables per growing cycle. The ministry estimates that the farm will generate more than USD 5,000 in monthly income, contributing to local livelihoods and reducing dependence on imported agricultural produce.

Women’s economic empowerment forms a key component of the initiative. Women from the community have been trained to operate hydroponic systems, while 25 women have received specialised training in solar equipment maintenance. More than 40 community members have been trained overall to support the ongoing operation and sustainability of the facility.

As part of the project, Vaadhoo has achieved 32.5 kilowatts of solar generation capacity, reducing diesel consumption by 32 per cent and cutting carbon dioxide emissions by up to 20 tonnes. The ministry noted that the initiative aligns with national sustainable development goals and demonstrates a practical approach to climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction.