The first nursery under the national five-million-tree programme has opened in Meedhoo, Addu City. Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources Minister Ahmed Shiyam opened it on Thursday as part of the National Farmers' Day and World Food Day events held on the island.
The programme, a campaign pledge of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, aims to plant five million trees over five years. It was launched on World Environment Day in 2024, and about 2.4 million plants have been planted so far.
The Meedhoo nursery covers about 23,000 square feet and includes an office and a shop selling plants and farming supplies.
The nurseries are funded by the Climate Ministry, which said island councils would be able to sell plants from them to raise income. The aim, it said, is a green belt across the islands that supports adaptation to climate change.
More nurseries are planned, including a 55,000 square foot facility being built in Hulhumalé with Chinese concessional aid, which is expected to open next year.
Meedhoo has about 165 active farmers, and 130 of them have received land under a new allocation framework. Plots that are not cultivated by December can be reassigned.
Shiyam said the government was aligning farming policy with food security and would support councils that run training for farmers. "We want to familiarise them with modern technology," he said.
Attendees included Addu Mayor Ali Nizar and Meedhoo Council president Ahmed Shathir. Ooredoo reopened the island's renovated Farmers' Mosque and held a tree-planting activity on the same day.