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Addu Development Plan2026–2031
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Goal 7 of 12

Ensure food security

Grow more at home, land more from the sea

The Maldives imported approximately USD 790.5 million worth of food in 2025, underscoring the country's heavy dependence on external markets while revealing a significant economic opportunity to expand domestic production. Against a backdrop of rising global food prices, supply-chain disruptions, and climate-related shocks, strengthening food security has become a strategic priority for Addu City. With the largest land area among the Maldives' atolls, substantial agricultural potential, productive fisheries, and a growing population, Addu is uniquely positioned for sustainable food production and to contribute meaningfully to national food security.

Where we are today

national food imports in 2025
USD 790.5 millionnational food imports in 2025
meat, seafood and fish
USD 156.7 millionmeat, seafood and fish
vegetables and root crops
USD 106.9 millionvegetables and root crops
fruits, nuts and seeds
USD 106.5 millionfruits, nuts and seeds
staples
USD 33.5 millionstaples
eggs
USD 24.3 millioneggs

Targets

  1. Target 7.1

    Ensure 75% of homes grow 05 types of tropical fruits and 05 vegetables at home by 2028.

  2. Target 7.2

    Enable commercial production of 03 fruits and 03 vegetables to supply 30% of the need of the Maldives tourism market by 2030.

  3. Target 7.3

    Ensure ice and fuel are available to fishers in Hithadhoo and Maradhoo harbours by 2028.

  4. Target 7.4

    Supply at least 50% of Valhomas (smoked fish) and Rihaakuru (fish paste) sold in the Maldives by 2030.

  5. Target 7.5

    Produce at least 30,000 eggs per day to meet a minimum of 80% of local household, hospitality, business, and institutional demand.

  6. Target 7.6

    Ensure that 100% of food producers, processors, distributors and food-service establishments in Addu City are registered and undergo risk-based inspection.

Strategies and actions

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  1. Strategy 01: Every home a proud grower

    • Establish a nursery and seed bank

    • Distribute starter kits for households

    • Launch home gardening app

    • Establish home grower's market

  2. Strategy 02: Organic agriculture revival

    • Launch coconut & kurumba cultivation and replanting

    • Allocate land for banana, breadfruit and yam plantation

    • Establish orchards for papaya, mango, guava and passionfruit

    • Establish crop and soil safety monitoring

  3. Strategy 03: Technology driven fresh food

    • Develop solar-powered climate-controlled greenhouses

    • Establish vertical farms with hydroponic and aeroponic tech

    • Introduce smart precision fertiliser use and irrigation

    • Introduce drones + AI to track stress, pests and diseases

  4. Strategy 04: High quality resilient fisheries

    • Invest in renewables powered ice production

    • Expand fisheries fuel storage capacity for 03 months

    • Establish quality assurance for 'valhomas' and 'rihaakuru'

    • Brand and promote 'valhomas', 'rihaakuru' and fish products

  5. Strategy 05: Fresh eggs every day

    • Build demonstration poultry farms

    • Establish a PPP for quality feed development

    • Conduct training on egg handling, storage and quality

    • Establish a biosecurity and disease management system

  6. Strategy 06: Trusted quality local food

    • Establish a food quality laboratory

    • Establish a food fund to support growers and producers

    • Register bakers and snack producers

    • Establish training and certification for food producers