The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare today introduced a matching grant scheme under the name 'Dhanduveri Manfaa' to provide financial assistance to farmers and agricultural promoters.

The MVR 15 million matching grant scheme is being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

The scheme was launched at a press conference at the Agriculture Ministry yesterday. Minister Aishath Rameela revealed that the scheme is aimed at farmers, civil society organisations, small and medium enterprises and cooperative societies in 26 selected islands in Haa Alif, Haa Dhaalu, and Shaviyani atoll where the Maldives Agri Business Program is implemented.

The grant under the scheme will be issued through SDFC, she said.

The Minister said the first phase of the scheme will be opened only for agricultural production. These include the installation of greenhouses, hydrophonic systems and modern agricultural equipment.

The minister said further rounds of grants would be conducted for agricultural suppliers and cold storage facilities.

“Since the Maldives Agri Business Program Map is a program that empowers women and youth and familiarizes them with agriculture, we will give special priority to women and youth in evaluating applications for this scheme,” she said.

Agriculture Ministry Project Director Shafana Rasheed said farmers have been given one month from today to prepare the required documents and can apply for the scheme through the SDFC portal from the 25th of next month.