New National Agriculture Lab Set to Launch Next Year

A major step forward for Maldivian agriculture is underway as the National Agricultural Laboratory in Fuvahmulah is expected to open next year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare has confirmed.

The facility is being developed by Venza Company Pvt under a contract signed in August last year. The government has allocated Rs 11 million for construction, and all necessary equipment has already been delivered to the island.

Deputy Minister Ismail Mohammed noted that while it's difficult to give a fixed date for completion, construction is progressing and the lab is expected to be ready next year. He added that agriculture is highly technical, and efforts are also focused on building skilled personnel and resources.

The National Agriculture Lab will focus on four key areas: soil testing, tissue culture, plant pathology, and entomology. According to the ministry, it will play a key role in supporting research, innovation, and income generation in the farming sector.

The lab’s equipment has been supplied through international support. The main lab tools were funded by the Government of Japan under a UNDP sustainable economy project. Additional equipment for other labs in the facility came through the Maldives Agri Business Program, with support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
This initiative is a step toward a more resilient and research-driven future for Maldivian agriculture.