Govt donates 'new generation' of palm trees to 11 islands
Trees are being donated to islands where there is enough space to make a big palm crop site.
By
Aminath Shifleen
The government has announced that trees will be planted in 11 islands as part of a project to develop a new generation of palm trees in the country due to old age and disease of the existing crops.
Due to fungal diseases powdery mildew, sooty mould and palm weevil infestations, a large number of trees are dying. In islands such as HDh. Kumundhoo and K. Kaashidhoo, which are home to the largest palm crops in the country, trees have died by the hundreds and there has been a severe shortage of coconuts in the country lately.
To address the issue, the government has started a nationwide project to import and plant 5,000 palm trees.
According to the agriculture ministry, trees will be planted in 11 islands in seven atolls under the project.
Trees have already been planted in some islands in time with the southwest monsoon. It is:
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HDh. Vaikaradhoo
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HDh. Neykurendhoo
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HA. Utheem
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HA. Hoarafushi
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R. Hulhudhuffaaru
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R. Fainu
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N. Velidhoo
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N. Kendhikulhudhoo
It is expected that these palm trees, brought to the Maldives with the help of the Maldives Green Fund, will be available for harvest within two years and a half. These are two commonly grown varieties in the country, classified under 'dwarf coconut'.
The distribution of trees to rural areas began after they were quarantined in HDh. Hanimaadhoo until it was confirmed that there was no disease on the new saplings.
The ministry said on Saturday:
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Trees are being donated to islands where there is enough space to make a big palm crop site
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Must keep a distance of 20 feet between each palm tree; that distance is far enough to not let the fronds of the two trees touch
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The purpose, according to the ministry, is to prevent disease from spreading to each other
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These trees are smaller than those usually grown in the country; usually, this type of tree grows up to five metres.
According to the agriculture ministry, the government hopes that these trees will be planted as soon as possible and the benefits will be available to the people. Only then will the current shortage of coconut and tender coconuts can be resolved and a 'new generation of trees' will be created.
