Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, Ahmed Shiyam, has officially launched the second phase of the ‘Dhanduveri Manfa’ matching grant program and announced the transition of the ‘Dhanduveri Nafa’ financing facility to Sharia-compliant Islamic principles. The announcement was made during a special ceremony held in HA. Kelaa.

The MVR 15 million matching grant is part of the Maldives Agribusiness Programme (MAP), conducted in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). This specific phase is dedicated to supporting agricultural development in the northern atolls of Haa Alif, Haa Dhaalu, and Shaviyani.

The financing facility is designed to promote modern, eco-friendly farming practices, including the establishment of greenhouses, hydroponics systems, vertical gardening, and urban agriculture. Additionally, the scheme covers poultry farming, nursery development, and veterinary services. The program is open to individual farmers, non-governmental organizations, and cooperatives.

According to the Ministry, applications for both schemes are now open through the SME Development Finance Corporation (SDFC) digital portal. The primary objective of these initiatives is to accelerate economic growth, modernize the agricultural sector through technology, and encourage youth participation in agribusiness.