Local

The government will work with local councils to ease the difficulties in leasing lots for farming – President

Published

3 years ago

16/10/2021

MNN

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated that the government will work with local councils to ease the difficulties in leasing lots from inhabited islands for farming activities. Speaking at the official reception held tonight at Kandoodhoo Island of Kolhumadulu Atoll to celebrate this years’ National Farmers’ Day, President Solih conveyed warm felicitations on the occasion of National Farmers’ Day, celebrated October 15, and World Food Day, marked tomorrow.

Addressing the audience, the President stated that certain challenges limit the progression of the farming industry. Citing the issues accentuated at yesterday’s “Farmers Forum”, he emphasised that space constraints on inhabited islands had restricted some opportunities for the industry to thrive, given most farming is carried out in inhabited islands. He added that the administration will work with local councils to seek long-term lots at reasonable rates for farming activities.

President Solih applauded the Kandoodhoo farming community for the huge impact it has had on the farming sector, highlighting that “Kandoodhoo Mirus”, chilli peppers produce on the island had branded itself as a prime product with high demand and that farmers from across the country had followed their lead.

The President stated that farmers face numerous challenges in providing fresh food items to the market. Stressing that countries such as the Maldives, with limited landmass, would need to adapt and incorporate modern technological advances and scientific data in farming activities, President Solih highlighted that relaying the information to farmers had been a challenge. He further stated that despite the availability of loans for agricultural purposes, these opportunities had not been properly communicated to most farmers.

Highlighting that 17 types of fruits and vegetables that ensure food safety are already locally harvested, the President stated that the government plans to curtail and levy taxes on the import of these food types to encourage locally grown produce to enter the market, therefore ensuring food safety. Although the agriculture sector currently contributes only 1.7 per cent of the GDP, the President remarked that there is enough demand for fresh produce to improve the rate of contribution to the GDP from the farming and agriculture industry.

Reiterating that the lack of farming space is detrimental to the improvement of the local farming industry, the President noted that adopting new technologies such as vertical farming methods may help begin to address the issue. As much of farming is reliant on the use of chemicals in producing harvest, he urged farmers to embrace organic farming methods and eco-friendly products. He added that the development of farming is essential to the decentralisation of the economy and improving the quality of life.

President Solih awarded plaques to two individuals for their contributions to the advancement of the agriculture sector during tonight’s ceremony.

Local

Nasheed to form new party

Published

11 months ago

17/05/2023

The main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s leader Mohamed Nasheed has decided to form a new political party.

Nasheed initiated a separate political movement within MDP, ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’, following his loss in MDP’s presidential primary held back in January. After major conflicts with the government and its policies – all lawmakers from the faction tendered their resignation from MDP on Wednesday.

The move came after Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim was expelled from the party on Tuesday and banned from rejoining for at least one year over involvement in opposition political activities surrounding the Chagos archipelago dispute.

The 12 members who resigned from MDP on Wednesday are;

Parliament’s Deputy Speaker, North Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla
Ungoofaaru MP Mohamed Waheed (Wadde)
North Maafannu MP Imthiyaz Fahumy (Inthi)
West Henveiru MP Hassan Latheef
Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb
North Kulhudhuffushi MP Yasir Abdul Latheef
Vilufushi MP Hassan Afeef
Central Maafannu MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bonde)
Madaveli MP Hussain Firushan
Thoddoo MP Hassan Shiyan (Gita)
North Mahchangoalhi MP Mohamed Rasheed (Boadhigu)
Gadhdhoo MP Ahmed Zahir
All 12 members are close acquittances of Nasheed. MP Hassan Latheef, during a meeting at Bodufenvalhuge on Wednesday, announced Nasheed’s decision to form a new political party. The meeting was attended by supporters of Nasheed.

Should Nasheed form a new political party, that party would be the largest opposition party in terms of members in the parliament, thereby, the minority party. The minority party at present, opposition PPM-PNC coalition has only eight members in the parliament.

Despite the resignation of the 12 MPs, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih continues to hold full control of the Parliament with 56 MPs.

Source(s): sun.mv

Local

MPs loyal to Nasheed leave MDP

Published

11 months ago

17/05/2023

Multiple members of the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) loyal to the party’s leader Mohamed Nasheed have left the party.

The members who resigned from MDP include 12 MPs. They include Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla, MP Mohamed Waheed, MP Imthiyaz Fahmy (Inthi), MP Hassan Latheef, MP Ilyas Labeeb, MP Yasir Abdul Latheef, MP Hassan Afeef, MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bonde), MP Hussain Firushan, MP Hassan Shiyan, MP Mohamed Rasheed (Boadhigu), and MP Ahmed Zahir.

They submitted their resignation letters Wednesday.

The move comes after MDP’s parliamentary group had requested action against Inthi, Hassan Latheef, Ilyas, Yasir, and Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim earlier this week, for forming an alliance with the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), Jumhoory Party (JP) and Maldives National Party (MNP), after accusing the government of failure to protect the interests of the Maldivian people in the case lodged with the International Tribunal of the Law of the Seas (ITLOS) over the disputed maritime territory between Maldives and Mauritius.

The party’s disciplinary committee decided to expel Azim from the party on Tuesday.

They are all members of Nasheed’s ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’ faction.

However, Nasheed has yet to resign from the party.

Despite the resignation of the 12 MPs, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih continues to hold full control of the Parliament with 56 MPs.

Source(s): sun.mv

Local

The Cambodian Prime Minister arrives in the Maldives on an official visit

Published

1 year ago

15/01/2023

The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, arrived Sunday morning on an official visit to the Maldives at the invitation of H.E. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. It is Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen’s first visit to the Maldives.

The Cambodian Prime Minister and accompanying delegation were received at Velana International Airport (VIA) by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid (ODRI). The government will hold a ceremony on Monday to officially welcome the Cambodian Prime Minister to the Maldives.

During the visit, President Solih would meet with Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen and hold official talks on strengthening bilateral cooperation, followed by the exchange of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between the two countries. President Solih and the Cambodian Prime Minister would also deliver a joint statement on the outcomes of their discussions.

The Maldives and Cambodia established diplomatic relations on September 21, 1995.

Source(s): President Office.