President assures Kandoodhoo farmers that STO’s chili imports will not disrupt their trade

The recent decision to greenlight bulk imports by State Trading Organization (STO) of 23 types of produce, including chillis, will not disrupt the trade of farmers from Th. Kandoodhoo, who are famous for producing local chilis, says President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

President Muizzu’s cabinet had approved the bulk import of 23 essential food items through the STO for sale in the Maldivian market on September 10.

President Muizzu, who is on a tour of islands in central Maldives, visited Kandoodhoo on Wednesday.

During a meeting with members of the community held at the school hall, Kandoodhoo Council’s President Ahmed Reehan urged President Muizzu to reconsider the decision to include chilis in the list of produce approved for bulk import.

Reehan said that 90 percent of the people living in Kandoodhoo depend on farming as a source of income.

He said that the decision would therefore result in massive losses to the island’s farmers.

“Amid the shortage and the rise in prices of pesticides with each passing day, the decision by the government and business owners to import locally produced food items and sell it at a cheap price will cause massive damage to farmers,” he said.

Reehan asked President Muizzu to reconsider his decision, and to make such decisions after seeking input from local farmers.

President Muizzu responded that the bulk import will be carried out in a manner that does not damage the trade of local farmers.

“It will be carried out in a manner that does not damage your trade. I assure you that it will be carried out in a manner that does not result in any losses to you, even if this means the STO purchases and sells their chilis at your prices… At a good price that ensures you get the profits you need,” he said.

President Muizzu said his administration is committed to supporting local farmers overcome the challenges they face, including the challenges in accessing the pesticides they need.

He said that the Agriculture Ministry will be sending a team to Kandoodhoo to address the issue.

The administration is committed to strengthening the agriculture sector, he said.

President Muizzu has previously said that the bulk import of 23 types of essential food items is part of his administration’s efforts to bolster food security in the Maldives.

However, the move is slammed by the opposition, who say the path to food security lies in boosting government support towards promoting local produce.