Meedhoo people, unlike rest of Addu, have been engaged in farming, either at home or on the piece of land obtained from the government, for the past two decades. I remember when I was a child people, especially Hulhudhoo, heading towards Meedhoo every day evening during Ramazan to buy fruits and vegetables. At that time there might be few farmers with limited produce and yet they had huge demand. However with the help of Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture and increased number of investors in agriculture, today Meedhoo has the capacity to produce and supply vegetables to nearby resorts continuously; yet channeling their produce to the end-user is widely unknown.
Mr. Ibrahim Rasheed, 30, has joined Meedhoo farming population in late 2007 and today, he is one of the leading farmers and suppliers of agricultural products in Addu. “During last year we were able to supply 100kg of Brinjal alone to Herathera Island Resort on a daily basis and monthly yield from agriculture mounted to Mrf50,000” Ibrahim Rasheed stated. He explained “I was satisfied with the income generated from farming although my farm was run below capacity”. He further stressed “poor” market as the reason for running his farm below capacity then and quoted as justifying “if circumstances changes I would quadruple my productivity”.
Explaining the many problems Rasheed faces in the industry he said selling his produce below market rate, multiplying arrears and securing crop are inevitable. He said “as there are many local suppliers in Addu and elsewhere in Fuvahmulah, our produce had to be sold below market rate”. Agriculture needs continuous investment, season after season. “If we don’t get money for what we sell duly or in a month, then we wont be able to invest for the next season” he said. According to him there are unpaid bills pending for his supplies to Herathera Island Resort and other retailers in Addu. Securing crop is one of the biggest problems faced by farmers. Rasheed highlighted lack of constitutional punishment for continued vandalism on their farm fields.
As the ministry of fisheries and agriculture is encouraging farmers and farming in the country by means of training, subsidies and loan schemes, many people have started to enter into the industry. Local farmers have approached banks to obtain loans to reinvest in their farm. Since Ramazan is ahead, farmers want to cultivate as many varieties of fruits and vegetables as they can. Ramazan is considered a good season for agricultural products every where in the country and yield from its harvest hits highest point.
Investing in agriculture is essential. However as the economic downturn and global pandemic of ‘swinflu’ is affecting the economies globally, it is advisable for farmers to secure their market before clinging on spending huge amount of money on farming. Government authorities and ministry of fisheries and agriculture must pay greater attention on establishing means and ways for farmers to settle their problems peacefully. Unless these problems in the industry are correctly addressed, investing in agriculture is not feasible.
1:46 PM |
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The biggest news all over the world on 25 June was the death of one of the most famous musical artists in recent history, Michael Jackson. As the hour long television specials, radio playlist tributes, and music video marathons already began on the same day, many Muslims are left wondering, “was Michael Jackson a Muslim?”
The short answer? It’s hard to say.
The long answer? Initially it began with rumors years back that he had joined the Nation of Islam. On top of that, Jermaine Jackson, his brother, is a known and confirmed Sunni Muslim, which added another ingredient into the mix. Read
10:43 AM |
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June 26 marks the UN's International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, a date which has been marked in the Maldives recently following the dramatic increase in the number of cases of drug abuse and its related crimes. The President’s radio address to the nation yesterday highlighted the government’s efforts to curb growth of drug abuse and trafficking and stressed on the issue of strengthening health services.
A rally calling for a permanent solution to the widespread drug abuse and trafficking problem in Maldives was held in Hulhumeedhoo on Friday afternoon. The rally was organized by the Seenu Atoll School (SAM) in association with Maldives Police Services and held to coincide with the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. A stage show was also performed by Hulhudhoo youth to educate the youth and parents about the devastating effect of drugs and reasoned why to refrain from smoking.
Hulhumeedhoo councilors, Island Chiefs, other government officials, Police, students and teachers took part in the event. The march began at the Atoll School and proceeded through Bahaaudheen Magu to the both ends of Hulhumeedhoo, where students and others spoke out against drug abuse and its trafficking. Speakers highlighted that there is a direct link between drug abuse and growing social unrest in the society.
The trend of drug abuse and its trafficking in Hulhumeedhoo has multiplied in the last two years. The staggering number of fresh entries into this evil bewitchment in the island is frustrating. Government authorizes, police and other related agencies remain helpless in tackling and preventing its growth.
The drugs are gaining popularity among newly affluent young Maldivians who view the use of such substances as a status symbol and smart.
3:39 PM |
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Hulhudhoo Office has awarded certificates to Heavy Load Maldives and to their Manager Mr. Abdulla in a special gathering held at Southern Point Restaurant last night. The certificate was awarded in appreciation of their help to protect 2.8 million rufiyaa worth sea wall that was build south east side of Hulhudhoo last year. Heavy Load Maldives is owned by the famous actor, reformist and MP for Hulhu-Henveyru, Mr. Moosa Manik.
According to Hulhudhoo Councilor Mr. Ibrahim Didi 27,432m3 of earth was plunked to fill the gap between the 1200 feet long sea wall and the main land. Mr. Didi thanked Mr. Reeko Moosa Manik on behalf of the people, Hulhudhoo Office and Island Committee for successfully accomplishing such a big project. “The cost of this project would certainly mount to Mrf 500,000.00 and it would be almost impossible for us to proceed with such a project at this time of global economic downturn”. Filling the gap would provide reinforcement for the seawall to survive in the long run.
While speaking at the reception last night the Island Chief Mr. Mohamed Jameel announced that Heavy Load Maldives would also help us cleaning Hulhudhoo Waste Management area. “We are very thankful to Mr. Abdulla who has formally agreed to help dump the waste and clean up the whole area before their departure from Addu”, Jameel added.
Heavy load Maldives has just completed their prime task of making channel between Hulhudhoo and Herathera.Nevertheless as part of their corporate social responsibility, Heavy Load is undertaking small projects of Hulhudhoo on request by Hulhudhoo Office.
11:54 AM |
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Police have arrested a 25 year old youth in connection with an attempt of burglary on Finifenmaa Store around 23:40 hrs last night. The burglar was caught red handed while trying to break down the door of the shop. According to the owner of the shop the burglar was Abdulla Wasiq of Kudhimaage, S.Hulhudhoo.
Finifenmaa Store has become the center of attention of all the drug addicts out on the streets of Hulhudhoo for ages. In the last six months the shop was robbed twice. The owner of the shop Mr. Solih explained as saying “a burglar, a drug addict, attempted to enter into the Finifenmaa Store by breaking the door lock”. He added that the thief used a screw driver and a hammer to break the lock before police arrived and took him under their custody.
Mr. Solih stated that the same guy broke in to his home recently and got away with a Pocket PC and a Sony Cybershot camera. He complained that police has released him without sending the case to prosecutor general’s office. According to police they had not gained adequate evidences against the suspect for prosecution.
3:42 PM |
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The death of the 14-year-old Seenu Atoll School Grade 8 boy, Yoonus Hussain, has left entire Hulhumeedhoo gripped in grief. He died of drowning into the channel, which is being excavated between Meedhoo and Hera, on Sunday evening around 15:45 hrs. Hulhudhoo Meedhoo Hospital confirmed his demise shortly after he was brought there.
Yoonus Hussain, along with five of his class mates, went for swimming to the channel between Meedhoo and Hera after coming from school. According to one of his companion, they were playing fun games in the channel before Yoonus Hussain and he drowned into a deep dugout. “Yoonus Hussain was already dead when he was taken out from water“an eyewitness said. According to reliable sources within Meedhoo, Yoonus Hussain did not know swimming or his friends who accompanied with him.
Today it has become an obligatory measure for schools, NGOs and other responsible authorities to make people aware about safety at sea. Learning to swim must be made compulsory within school levels and special training programs need to be conducted. Similar cases of deaths occur very often throughout the nations but people pay little or no attention whatsoever.
12:20 AM |
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An unprecedented trench hollowed out between Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo has raised tension between both the islands last night. According to the information received to Hulhudhoo Today, an excavator lend by Shangri’ la to excavate the channel between Meedhoo and Hera, was used to dig out the road which runs east of Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo. However the purpose and the people behind this wicked attempt of trying to leave Hulhumeedhoo people under jeopardy still remain unknown.
According to Hulhudhoo councilor Mr. Ibrahim Didi, he had asked Meedhoo island Chief Mr. Abdulla Rasheed for an explanation of excavating trench. Abdulla Rasheed justified as saying “it was the will of the majority of Meedhoo people out on streets to clean the island yesterday”. We enquired Meedhoo councilor Mr. Hassan Shahid if he had learned about such plan to scoop out a trench on the road before. He replied that he had attended all the meetings in FMD regarding the planning of island cleaning program but never come across anyone saying about excavating a trench to block the road.
At the wake of this evil act to block the road by a small segment of Meedhoo people, triggered protests near Hulhudhoo office last night.Hundreds of people gathered near Hulhudhoo Office and pressurized the newly appointed councilor to immediately take actions. Hulhudhoo councilor Mr. Ibrahim Didi, after talking to Atoll councilor, arranged Heavy Load vehicles to fill the trench before 00:00 hours. However differences in opinion among the people out on protest failed to find reconciliation to the dispute and they marched towards the main border to excavate a channel. With spade and other tools Hulhudhoo people did scoop out 5 x 1 feet area of land near old Health Center building before police came and advised them to stop.
The relationship between Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo people, particularly among the youth, has been strengthening for the last five years. Street fights and vandalism on either island properties almost vanished. Everybody was free to move from one island to another, thus promoting social and economic benefits. We strongly advise on youth of these two islands to refrain from activities which may hinder peace we have setup between these two islands.
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