Marking World Food Day yesterday, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu urged Maldivians to build innovative, sustainable, and resilient food systems to ensure nationwide access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food.
In an official statement on X yesterday, celebrated under the global theme “Innovative today. Nourish tomorrow”, the President emphasised that today’s choices and investments will directly determine the food security of future generations.
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He highlighted that for an island nation like the Maldives, strengthening domestic food systems is indispensable to national resilience, economic stability and the preservation of natural resources.
To achieve these goals, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu outlined major governmental initiatives currently underway in the fisheries and agricultural sectors. The administration has implemented measures to guarantee payments to fishers within 48 hours, expanded fish storage and processing infrastructure, and launched agricultural public-private partnerships across various islands.
Furthermore, the Government is working to optimise land use, improve market access, strengthen supply chains, and attract greater investment in agriculture to increase productivity and reduce reliance on imported food. Underlining that food security requires a collective effort, he called on all citizens to support local farming and fishing communities.
First Lady Sajidha Mohamed reinforced the message in a post on X, emphasising that true food security ensures every family has access to nutritious meals. She noted that individual actions such as minimising food waste, supporting local produce, and adopting sustainable habits at home play a crucial role in building a resilient national food system.
World Food Day is observed globally on October 16 to mark the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and to drive international efforts toward ending hunger.
On World Food Day, I wish to recognise the importance of building innovative, sustainable and resilient food systems that ensure access to safe, nutritious and affordable food for all. This year’s theme, “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow,” reminds us that the choices we make and the investments we undertake today will shape the food security of future generations. By investing in innovation, expanding domestic food production and sustainably managing our natural resources, we can strengthen food security and secure a healthier, more sustainable future for our people. As an island nation, strengthening food security is essential to our national resilience and economic sustainability. We must embrace new technologies, improve local production, support our farmers and fishers, and protect the natural resources that sustain our livelihoods and communities. This Government has taken important steps to strengthen the fisheries sector, including ensuring payments to fishers within 48 hours, expanding fish storage and processing infrastructure, and introducing measures to support our fisheries sector as a whole. We have also advanced agricultural development through public-private partnerships, with projects initiated in various islands as well as encouraging communities to make better use of available land to expand local production, improve access to fresh fruits and create greater opportunities for farmers. We are working to strengthen local food supply chains, improve market access for farmers and fishers, and encourage greater investment in agriculture. By combining innovation with the knowledge and experience of our local producers, we can increase productivity, reduce dependence on imported food and and strengthen the resilience and sustainability of our food supply. Food security is a shared responsibility. By working together to strengthen local food systems and support our farming and fishing communities, we can ensure a reliable supply of nutritious and affordable food for all Maldivians. Let us work together towards a Maldives where our farmers and fishers, and their families, are empowered, local food production continues to grow, and every household has access to nutritious and affordable food.— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) October 16, 2026
On this World Food Day, we are reminded that food security is not merely about production but also ensuring that every family has access to nutritious food. Let’s remember that every mindful choice we make at home and in our communities is a chance to innovate today and nourish tomorrow. Embracing sustainable food practices, supporting local produce, choosing nutritious food, and reducing food waste are small but meaningful actions that collectively make a difference. Innovation need not always involve sophisticated technology. Together, let us protect our planet and ensure food security for everyone. #WorldFoodDay— First Lady Sajidha Mohamed (@sajidhaamohamed) October 16, 2026
