Greenhouse Farming Programme Commenced to Boost Local Produce and Climate Resilience
The initiative has drawn 22 participants representing seven islands. | Photo: Ministry of Fisheries, Agirculture and Ocean Resources
A specialized technical training programme on greenhouse cultivation has commenced at the Maldives Agribusiness Programme (MAP) Demo Greenhouse in Haa Dhaalu Hanimaadhoo. The initiative has drawn 22 participants representing seven islands, focusing on the commercial and sustainable production of cucumbers and melons.
The Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources states that the training seeks to build practical skill sets and expand technical understanding in protected agriculture. Organized under the Agriculture Ministry in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the initiative aims to drive modern, climate-smart farming techniques across the northern atolls.
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The Hanimaadhoo training session forms a central pillar of the broader MAP project, the Ministry notes, which targets agricultural development across 26 islands in Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, and Shaviyani Atolls. By shifting focus toward protected cropping environments, such as controlled greenhouses using soilless media like coco peat, the project equips local growers to manage pests, optimize water usage, and safeguard yields against unpredictable weather patterns.
Throughout the course, participants undergo hands-on instruction covering crop nutrition, irrigation scheduling, greenhouse climate control, and post-harvest handling specifically tailored to high-value produce like cucumber and melon.
By establishing demonstration sites and training lead farmers across multiple islands, the Ministry aims to create decentralized agricultural hubs.
