The Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation (ICAR-IISWC), Dehradun has been recognized by National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG), New Delhi/Mussoorie, Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Government of India, as a partner institute to sensitize civil servants from adjacent and friendly countries of India under mutual cooperation.

Dr. M Muruganandam, Principal Scientist and Head (PME & KM Unit), IISWC, Dehradun addressed the civil servants/officers of the Maldives and the participants of 28th capacity building program of the NCGG, today, on 2nd Nov. 2023 at NCGG, Indra Bhawan, LBSNAA, Mussoorie. About 30 Officer Trainees are currently participating in Capacity Building Programme from 30-10 November, 2023.

The program is one of the flagship programs of NCGG under the direction of Sh. V Srinivas, Director General, NCGG and is being coordinated by Dr. B.S. Bisht, Associate Professor and his team at the NCGG including Dr. Sanjeev Sharma and is one of the series of such customized training programmes for the civil servants of several countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives and African countries as part of the bi-lateral ties, organized by the NCGG.

Dr. Muruganandam shared biodiversity and agro-based models, especially those that are relevant and more suitable for Maldivian resources, climate and potentials. Discussing the resources, opportunities/potentials, and limitations/challenges, he has presented technologies along with the required strategies/approaches to promote adoption and production, mainly in fisheries- and aquatic-ecosystem based commodities besides agricultural- and livestock-based.

Maldives has extensive stretch of coasts, series of coastal islands, around 0.9 m Sq Km Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), rich fish and marine biodiversity, favorable tropical climate with 24-33o C suitable for biological productivity, around 2000 mm average annual rainfall, and rich resources of coral reefs and tourism potential. Maldives known to have good tuna fisheries and strategic oceanic fishing better than many adjacent countries and have huge potential for diversification of agriculture production and adoption of alternate and advanced farming systems and technologies.

Highlighting the mandate and contributions of the ICAR-IISWC on resource conservation, soil-water conservation, conservative farming, and integrated farming systems, the participants were introduced to the components and concepts of ecosystems & environment and advanced technologies, strategies & management in order to protect environment while proposing and progressing in economic exploitation of resources towards social advancement, livelihoods, food production and consumption.

The participants under the leadership of Sh Abdulla Halem, Principal, Maduvvari School, Maldives, had a live interaction and were keen to have further collaboration and continued interaction towards a joint venture for the development of fisheries, fish farming including marine aquaculture and dual-purpose rural poultry farming units in strategic locations of various islands of Maldives.