Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare Dr Maryam Mariya met with Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Eric Walsh, and Canada's Indo-Pacific Trade Representative, Paul Thoppil, on Monday to explore opportunities for collaboration in agriculture and food security.

The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral ties and identifying potential investment areas to advance sustainable agricultural development in the Maldives.

During the discussion, Minister Mariya outlined the key challenges facing the agricultural sector, including difficulties in ensuring national food security and the logistical issues involved in transporting agricultural products across the country's dispersed islands.

According to the Ministry, the Canadian delegation offered several recommendations to help overcome these challenges. Among the suggestions was the establishment of closer partnerships between local farmers and resorts, to create consistent demand for local produce and improve market access.

The delegation also highlighted the need for standardisation in agricultural practices. Implementing clear standards, they noted, would enhance trust among buyers and open up new marketing opportunities for Maldivian producers.

Emphasising sustainability, the Canadian officials recommended the adoption of environmentally friendly farming methods. They pointed to hydroponics and other modern techniques as promising approaches for the Maldives.