In short
In collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), our team conducted an in-depth assessment of the Maldives’ food system to support the country’s transition towards a more food secure future.
We used a three-phase process (Inception, Midterm and Final) to map the current food system, assess climate-change impacts, and co-design adaptation measure with local stakeholders.
Our work combines data-driven insights, participatory workshops, and strategic recommendations to strengthen food security, reduce import dependency, and build a more climate-resilient economy for the Maldives.
The work led to three adaptation packages (each with multiple measures) tailored to three specific farmer-groups, plus five national support measures.
Consult on climate-smart agriculture – the Resilient Island Method
In many island states, climate-change threaten crops, disrupts supply chains, and endangers people’s livelihoods.To create resilient solutions, a thoroughly and clear understanding of the challenges and the opportunities for change is needed.
That’s why we built our workplan in an eight-step approach, illustrated in the workflow diagram. We started mapping the current food security situation and analyzing potential climate change impacts (I & II). These first two phases fed into a detailed impact analysis of climate change in the Maldives (IV). Chapter III included an assessment of existing measures and capabilities (III). All the above mentioned chapters were included in the Inception Report.
The findings lead to stakeholder consultations (V), ensuring that local voices shape the adaptation strategies. We then model expected outcomes (VI), identify critical succes factors (VII).. and conclude with targeted recommendations for adaptation measures, investments, and supporting actions (VIII).
This thorough, step-by-step process ensures that we identify the country’s weak sports, engage communities and co-design practical solutions. — paving the way towards a more resilient and food-secure future.
Inception Report
The goal of the inception phase was to develop a comprehensive understanding of the Maldivian food system in its broadest context, to analyse how future climate change may affect this system, to assess the existing adaptation measures, and to identify the current vulnerabilities — the so-called “hotspots.” Through extensive stakeholder consultations, field visits, and data collection, we assessed the status of local food production systems, supply chain structures, and climate-resilient practices. A total of 62 critical hotspots were identified, clustered into four key dimensions: Economy & Culture, Infrastructure & Resources, Environment & Climate, and Happiness & Health.
The analysis revealed bottlenecks, including fragmented supply chains, a high dependency on food imports, limited local production capacity, inadequate cold-chain and storage infrastructure, and increasing climate change risks such as salinization and extreme weather events. Additional systemic challenges include insufficient groundwater monitoring and regulation, dependency on imported hybrid seeds, noticeable policy gaps, and a scarcity of skilled human resources to support innovation and implementation.
![{"capture_mode":"AutoModule","faces":[]}](https://www.resilientisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_20240224_172915-768x576.jpg)
![{"capture_mode":"AutoModule","faces":[]}](https://www.resilientisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_20240205_172923_1-768x576.jpg)
Midterm report
The Midterm Report is the result of extensive workshops and consultations with stakeholders across the Maldives. It is structured around three key components that together provide a comprehensive understanding of the Maldivian food system and its vulnerabilities to climate change.
The first part presents an overview of the Maldivian food system, highlighting its interconnected components — from production to distribution and consumption. Within this system, the 62 identified hotspots have been grouped into eighteen overarching critical hotspots. These hotspots represent areas where systemic weaknesses are most evident and where climate impacts are already affecting food security. This section also introduces potential adaptation measures, which were discussed and refined during the local workshops.
The second part focuses on climate change hotspots, visualizing the projected impacts of rising temperatures, sea-level rise, salinization, and extreme weather on the food system. Using data-driven projections and clear visual illustrations, this section highlights the future challenges and vulnerabilities, helping stakeholders better understand the urgency and scale of the issues at hand.
The third part presents a set of climate-smart adaptation and mitigation measures developed and prioritized during the interactive workshops. These locally endorsed strategies are designed to strengthen domestic food production systems, enhance resilience, and secure long-term food security.
Together, these findings provide a clear roadmap for building a sustainable and climate-resilient food system for the Maldives, supporting both environmental health and community well-being.
Final report
The Climate Smart Agriculture Final Report presents a comprehensive set of adaptation measures and support strategies to strengthen the agricultural sector, food system, and food security in the Maldives. It highlights the critical investments needed to build long-term resilience and prepare for future climate challenges.
The first part of the report focuses on Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) measures. It outlines their expected impact on national production potential, the process of developing and assessing the measures, and the results of the cost-benefit analysis. These CSA measures were designed through a collaborative process combining the expertise of the Resilient Island team with insights from local community workshops and stakeholder consultations. The image on the left shows an analysis of multiple adaptation measures. This formed the basis of the creation of the packages per farmer category.
Based on this process, three tailored CSA packages were developed, each designed for a specific farmer category: smallholder farmers, emerging professional farmers, and commercial agricultural islands (CAIs). Each package addresses the unique needs, capacities, and potential of its target group, focusing on suitable crops and context-specific practices. For each CSA package, the report provides a summary of outcomes and recommendations for critical investments. See the image below for the example of one of the packages created.
The second part explores institutional, technical, and policy support measures. Developed through close engagement with farmers, local representatives, and sector stakeholders, these measures address systemic challenges within the food system. The report groups these into five key support measures, presenting their assessed impacts and investment needs based on a cost-benefit analysis.
Additionally, a Paris Accord Alignment Assessment has been carried out for the recommended packages, ensuring that proposed interventions are consistent with international climate goals.
The report concludes with a clear set of recommendations and investment priorities to guide funding under the ADB project TA 6977 REG: Strengthening Capacity to Design and Implement Climate Resilience Projects Facility. These findings lay the foundation for the Enhancing Climate Resilience and Food Security Project in the Maldives, supporting a sustainable and climate-resilient future.
Interested in more or interested in collaborating with us? Please contact us on info@resilientisland.com.
