Address by Zaha Waheed Minister at the President's Office of the Maldives at the International Forum on Hybrid Rice Assistance and Global Food Security

Address by  Zaha Waheed Minister at the President's Office  of the Maldives at the International Forum on Hybrid Rice Assistance and Global Food Security

His Excellency Wang Yi, State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China;

Mr. Luo Zhaohui, Chairman of China International Development Cooperation Agency;

Distinguished officials of the Government of China;

Ladies and Gentlemen

The Maldives has been inhabited since around the 5th century BCE and its food has been an important factor in shaping its culture and tradition. Historically, the people of Maldives consumed locally grown food. Fish was the primary source of protein in their diets. The carbohydrates came from the small millets cultivated in the northern part of the country while the southern part of the Maldives depended on root crops, such as, sweet potato, cassava, and taro. Breadfruit was also a dominant plant across the country and was widely used for food.

As trade became more significant during the 10th Century, rice was introduced from the neighboring countries and it quickly became our staple food. Rice trade widened covering imports from various corners of the globe. Currently we import many varieties of rice from 28 countries, including China.

During early trade, we may assume that rice was also imported from China as large quantities of Chinese crockery was found buried in various locations in the Maldives, dating back to the 12th Century.

Attempts were made to grow rice in the 1960's, but we are not a rice growing country. In the 1960's Maldives imported about 6850 metric tons of rice to cater to the demands of its population. A tremendous increase in population and subsequent consumption, the current import of rice has reached over 32,000 metric tons. Today, Maldives import many diverse varieties of rice from several countries to cater different clientele markets.

The scarcity of land, along with an unfavourable agroecological climate for rice production, the Maldives is fully reliant on foreign import for its staples.

Rice continues to be the most important commodity for food security in the Maldives and I believe that the global innovations in rice production is a step forward towards achieving food security in the Maldives.

Rice hybridization has probably been practiced since ancient times; however, the advancement through science of genetics is commendable.

China, as the world's leading rice producer, adopting modern technology in rice hybridization, with careful attention to improved grain and yield quality with enhanced nutritional value, good resistance to pest and diseases, water use efficiency and other specific requirements of various agroecological climate, provide assurance in increased quality rice production towards the pledges of Sustainable Development Goals in food security and agricultural sustainability.

I take special privilege in thanking the Government of China, International Development Cooperation Agency, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration of China for hosting this forum and their commitment to ensure global food security through the rice hybridization initiative. I hope through this initiative, the countries around the world can adopt measures to ensure proper functioning of rice commodity markets and facilitate timely access to market information, reserves, in order to help limit extreme price volatility of rice.

Thank you