The Government of the Maldives has intensified its efforts to operationalise the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on agricultural cooperation concluded with Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China.

On Sunday, senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare convened in Malé with a visiting delegation from the Sichuan Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, accompanied by representatives of the Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

The MoU, ratified in 2024 during the State visit of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to China, seeks to advance the development of the Maldives’ agricultural sector. It outlines a framework to facilitate bilateral cooperation in strategic areas, including agricultural innovation, technical assistance, capacity development, and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices.

During the meeting, both parties reviewed the progress achieved under the agreement to date. Officials from the Ministry underscored the concrete benefits already realised, notably the recent donation of agricultural machinery and test kits, with an estimated value of USD 15,575 by the Sichuan Provincial Department.