Enhancing Climate Resilience and Food Security Project (ECRFS Project)

From 26–27 August 2026, practical training sessions were conducted at Ghaazee School to introduce students, teachers, and staff to gardening techniques incorporated into the Dhulhaheyo Ghaazee School Garden. The training focused on soil-based gardening and the cultivation of a diverse range of crops, including cucumber, Chinese lettuce, tomato, and herbs such as lemongrass and coriander. A fruit orchard was also established to introduce students to the cultivation of nutrient-rich local fruits.

A key feature of the garden is its herbal tea garden, featuring blue pea, hibiscus, and rose. The garden provides an opportunity for students to learn how flowers and herbs can be cultivated and used to prepare natural, locally grown beverages, while also promoting awareness of healthy food choices and the value of growing plants at school.

The two-day training engaged 88 participants through practical, hands-on activities, providing students and school staff with knowledge and skills to establish, maintain, and sustainably manage the garden.

The sessions were facilitated by PMU Urban Agriculture Specialist, Mr. Hassan Shuabee, who provided practical guidance on the different growing techniques and garden establishment. The programme will continue to provide technical guidance and support to help the school integrate the garden into learning activities and sustain it as a practical learning space for climate-resilient food production.

From 18–19 August 2026, practical training sessions were conducted at Muhyiddin School to introduce students, teachers, and staff to gardening techniques incorporated into the VilunVeshi School Garden design. The training covered vertical growing systems, soil-based gardening, and hydroponic systems for cultivating leafy vegetables, along with the establishment and maintenance of a fruit orchard featuring nutrient-rich local fruits. The school has named the garden “Niru,” symbolizing students as young shoots growing their knowledge and contributing to climate resilience and food security. A total of 97 participants, including students, teachers and staff joined the information session of the training.

During the hands-on sessions, students and staff prepared seeds for the vertical tower system, prepared soil, and planted the first crops in the garden. The sessions were facilitated by PMU Urban Agriculture Specialist, Mr. Hassan Shuabee, who provided practical guidance on the different growing techniques and garden establishment. The PMU will continue to support the school with planting, garden maintenance, and technical guidance throughout the project period, helping the school build the knowledge and capacity needed to sustain the garden.

On 9 August 2026, a workshop was conducted in collaboration with the Kulhudhuffushi City Council and Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean resources, to develop a Sustainable Management and Agribusiness Development Plan for the demonstration plot planned for Kulhudhuffushi. The workshop brought together 27 stakeholders from city council, WDC, Hanimaadhoo Agriculture Center, individual farmers and businesses to explore agribusiness opportunities, sustainable business models, and long-term management approaches for the plot, laying the foundation for a practical and sustainable management plan. 

The Kulhudhuffushi demonstration plot is one of three demonstration plots planned under the project, which will showcase climate-smart urban agriculture practices and sustainable approaches to food production and agribusiness. 

The workshop was organized by the Project Management Unit (PMU) and facilitated by Urban Agriculture Specialist, Mr. Hassan Shuabee, ; Secretary General of Kulhudhuffushi City Council, Mr. Abdulla Adam; Senior Agriculture Development Assistant, Mr. Mohamed Lahfaan Moosa; Agriculture Officer, Mr. Abdul Latheef Moosa; Agriculture Officer, Mr. Zakariyya Ibrahim; Asst Agricultrure Officer, Ms. Hamdha Ali; Project Manager, Mr. Hamdhaan Zuhair; Social Safeguards Specialist, Ms. Aminath Shareef and Civil Engineer, Mr. Mohamed Afraz. 

On 06 July 2026, Honourable Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, Ali Shareef; Her Excellency the Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives, Ishigami Rumiko and His Excellency Motoo Taki, Resident Representative of the JICA Maldives Office inaugurated the first VilunVeshi garden in Hiriya school.

The VilunVeshi School Garden Programme aims to promote hands-on learning on environmental conservation, climate change, and urban agriculture while strengthening students' awareness of nutrition and healthy food choices. The programme also seeks to develop practical life skills through experiential learning and encourage the adoption of climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural practices among young learners. It is planned for the programme to be rolled out to 5 schools during the project period.

An Asian Development Bank (ADB) mission visited the Maldives to review the implementation performance and progress of the project, discuss opportunities for seawater farming demonstration and participate in the opening of the first VilunVeshi School Garden at Hiriya School.

As part of the mission, a stakeholder consultation workshop was held in Kulhudhuffushi City for information dissemination on the VilunVeshi grant programme. Officials from the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources participated in the consultation.

The mission was led by Ms. Michiko Katagami, Principal Natural Resources and Agriculture Specialist, and included Ms. Mariangela Paz Medina, Project Officer, and Mr. Shohei Toyonaga, Consultant – Seawater Farming Expert.