The Maldives has launched its first-ever nationwide agricultural census, involving 39 participants from islands engaged in commercial farming.

The initiative is being conducted jointly by the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources, the Maldives Bureau of Statistics (MBS) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The census aims to collect essential statistical data on the country's agricultural sector and identify gaps related to food security.

The Ministry said the findings would help increase agricultural productivity, promote sustainable development in the sector and support evidence-based policymaking to strengthen national food security.