Sunday 15 Nov 2026
Maldives’ first-ever agricultural census underway. (Photo/Agriculture Ministry)
The Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources has announced the commencement of field operations for the first-ever agricultural census in Maldivian history.
The census is a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources, the Maldives Bureau of Statistics (MBS), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
According to the Ministry, 39 enumerators are currently engaged in the fieldwork, which covers islands across the Maldives where commercial farming is practiced.
As this is the first census of its kind for the Maldivian agricultural sector, its primary objective is to collect essential statistical data to support the formulation of robust policies for the industry.
The first-ever Agricultural Census of the Maldives is currently ongoing, with 39 participants taking part from commercial agricultural islands nationwide. The initiative is being conducted through a partnership between the Ministry, the Maldives Bureau of Statistics (MBS), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). As a pioneering national exercise, the census will generate essential statistical data on the agricultural sector and serve as a foundational step in identifying food security-related gaps. The findings will support data-driven policies and interventions aimed at strengthening agricultural productivity, sustainability, and national food security. @FAO @statsmaldives
— Min of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources (@MFAORmv) November 15, 2026
Furthermore, the Ministry stated that the census would provide a foundation for identifying the challenges and opportunities involved in ensuring national food security.
The Ministry further noted that the data and findings gathered through the census would facilitate the development of effective policies to enhance agricultural productivity and promote the sustainable advancement of the industry.
Additionally, the Ministry highlighted that the statistics collected would be instrumental in making evidence-based decisions on the measures needed to achieve food self-sufficiency and security in the Maldives.
