Agriculture Ministry to Launch Second Round of Matching Grant Programme This Week

The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare plans to announce the second round of its Matching Grant Programme this week, expanding financial support for farmers and agricultural organisations across the Maldives.

Speaking on Raajje Miadhu on Public Service Media (PSM), Fathimath Thasmeen, Director of the Maldives Exhibit Programme, said the first round of the scheme received 69 applications, of which 14 were selected for funding.

advertisement

The Matching Grant Programme is designed to support small-scale farmers by improving access to financing, agricultural technologies, markets and support services. The initiative aims to increase incomes, strengthen food security and improve nutrition through sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture, with a particular focus on women and youth.

The programme is open to farmers, non-governmental organisations and cooperative societies involved in agriculture. Priority is given to applicants who have completed ministry-led technical training programmes and members of the Island Farmers Forum (IFF).

Under the scheme, the government contributes a share of project costs while applicants finance the remainder. IFF members are eligible for grants covering up to 50 percent of project costs, while other applicants can receive up to 30 percent. The remaining amount can be financed through personal savings, bank loans or SME Development Finance Corporation’s Nafaa financing programme.

Officials said the latest round will also address concerns raised by participants during the first phase regarding the lack of Sharia-compliant financing options.

State Minister Ahmed Hasan Didi said all farmers can currently apply for Nafaa financing of up to MVR 5 million. He added that efforts are underway to make the facility Sharia-compliant and that an announcement on the matter is expected this week.

The first phase of the Matching Grant Programme was initially launched for a five-year period and was later extended by an additional year.