under a government Pesticide use is not (IPM) (FAO is assisting project. controlled; prevention government with drafting of a of groundwater Pesticides Act). Government is planning contamination by the construction of a Investigate and popularise pesticides will require desalination plant. effective home treatment major and ongoing systems for household investment in rainwater (e.g. filtration, UV regulations, training chlorination tablets, and enforcement. sunlight sterilisation, boiling). Domestic use of Minimise demand increases by untreated rainwater is demand management associated with techniques including pricing, diseases such as building codes (e.g. requiring toxoplasmosis, which high-efficiency shower heads), is widespread. and awareness. Demand for water is increasing. Agriculture Farmers make up less than In the south, some of Review the allocation of land 1% of the working the parcels are in for agriculture in southern population in Hithadhoo areas subject Hithadhoo taking into account (20 people in 2006 and 33 to flooding during and drainage. in 2011); these official intense rains. Work with MoFA to improve numbers probably exclude Farmers lack farmers' knowledge and skills. farm workers: foreign knowledge of many Work with central government (Bangladeshi) labourers aspects of crop to initiate a system to control are resident on some of the husbandry. pesticides, and manage farms. Pesticide use is pesticide use, as part of a are grown universal and national move towards commercially on large uncontrolled, with integrated pest management plots (1 ha or more) associated health risks (IPM) (FAO is assisting allocated to individuals by to workers and government with drafting of a the Atoll Council. consumers and risks to Pesticides Act). The plots have been surface and Encourage home gardening allocated recently and are groundwater. and food processing to enhance in areas of semi-natural The foreign labour diets and contribute to food vegetation (now cleared), force is socially security. either in the south of the marginalised with Work with national island south of the new poor working government to regularise the convention centre () or in conditions and few working conditions and rights the north, in the centre of rights. of agricultural labour. the Koattey protected area (after it was declared). Crops grown are vegetables, for sale
under a government project. Government is planning the construction of a desalination plant. Pesticide use is not controlled; prevention of groundwater contamination by pesticides will require major and ongoing investment in regulations, training and enforcement. Domestic use of untreated rainwater is associated with diseases such as toxoplasmosis, which is widespread. Demand for water is increasing. (IPM) (FAO is assisting government with drafting of a Pesticides Act). Investigate and popularise effective home treatment systems for household rainwater (e.g. filtration, UV chlorination tablets, sunlight sterilisation, boiling). Minimise demand increases by demand management techniques including pricing, building codes (e.g. requiring high-efficiency shower heads), and awareness. Agriculture Farmers make up less than 1% of the working population in Hithadhoo (20 people in 2006 and 33 in 2011); these official numbers probably exclude farm workers: foreign (Bangladeshi) labourers are resident on some of the farms. are grown commercially on large plots (1 ha or more) allocated to individuals by the Atoll Council. The plots have been allocated recently and are in areas of semi-natural vegetation (now cleared), either in the south of the island south of the new convention centre () or in the north, in the centre of the Koattey protected area (after it was declared). Crops grown are vegetables, for sale In the south, some of the parcels are in areas subject to flooding during intense rains. Farmers lack knowledge of many aspects of crop husbandry. Pesticide use is universal and uncontrolled, with associated health risks to workers and consumers and risks to surface and groundwater. The foreign labour force is socially marginalised with poor working conditions and few rights. Review the allocation of land for agriculture in southern Hithadhoo taking into account and drainage. Work with MoFA to improve farmers' knowledge and skills. Work with central government to initiate a system to control pesticides, and manage pesticide use, as part of a national move towards integrated pest management (IPM) (FAO is assisting government with drafting of a Pesticides Act). Encourage home gardening and food processing to enhance diets and contribute to food security. Work with national government to regularise the working conditions and rights of agricultural labour.
RP11870v20RP0P00Social000Oct-20110.docx