Chilli Project

Towards Environmentally Sustainable, Equitable and Empowered Communities

The Project’s objective is to strengthen the capacity of the Women’s Development Committees (WDCs) in the target community to facilitate economic opportunity for women and enable them to become more efficient in advocating for gender equality at island, atoll and national level. The combination of disparity in opportunities to access income between Male and the Atolls, and disparity in income access between women and men, means that women in remote areas in the Maldives are among the most disadvantaged in relation to income access. Female heads of households are particularly vulnerable if they have no access to generate income or participate in the labor force. Women’s Development Committees (WDCs) are established in all communities and these could potentially provide a vehicle through which women can access income opportunities and advocate for their rights to equal opportunity.

The project site was initially in HA.Kelaa however due to difficulties in implementing the project; the site was moved to Th. Veymandoo through discussions with UNDP and the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture (MOFA) at the beginning of 2010. Since the training for the production of sauces has already been undertaken by MOFA and UNDP it was easy to start up the project in Veymandoo. Furthermore, Chili is produced in Veymandoo and there is an opportunity to facilitate market access for women farmers to process and sell their B&C grade chilis which are currently wasted. Moreover, there seems to be an opportunity in the local market for a local chili sauce, as although chili sauce is widely consumed by Maldivians, chili sauce is imported from other countries rather than processed locally. Certain varieties of Maldivian chili have a distinct flavour very popular among the local population that, if captured in a chili sauce, could have considerable market potential.

The project provides innovative livelihoods options for women and provides leadership training to women in organizing and mobilizing these options. There were other successes like establishing a co-funding partnership established with Soneva Resorts and also commitment by both Soneva Resorts and Nexus Business Solutions to standardize the Chili sauce production process, so that the Chili sauce produced meet the ISO22000 standards. Thus it is a great success for the whole project that a co-funding partnership has now been established with Soneva Resorts and also because TH. Veymandoo women’s development committee is very enthusiastic in participating and carrying out the chili sauce production. By the end of December 2010 all the trainings have been completed and the equipment transferred to Th. Veymandoo. With the assistance of the community members the refurbishment of the kitchen is completed and awaiting for the kitchen worktables to be fitted in the processing area. Hopefully by mid 2011 the processing will be initiated and market links established.