MoAL launches final Call for Applications from Individuals and Groups for co-funding from the GIRAV Project

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) on Monday May 13, 2024 launched the final Call for Concept Notes and Applications from Individuals and Groups engaged in agricultural production, marketing, processing, or service provision in any of the five priority value chains of the GIRAV project for co-funding. The initiative is funded by the seven-year Gambia Government-World Bank funded project titled “The Gambia Inclusive and Resilient Agricultural Value Chain Development Project” (GIRAV).  

The Ministry is executing the USD108 million World Bank funded project which became operational in March 2022. It is being implemented across the country by the Ministry’s Central Projects Coordinating Unit (CPCU) in close partnership with 20 implementing partners. The priority value chains of the project are Rice, Maize, horticulture (including Mango), cashew and Poultry.

In a bid to increase access to funding for the development of commercial agriculture in the country, the project provides a matching grant instrument to the tune of US$9million to co-finance competitively selected private Productive Investments Subprojects (PISs) developed by small private investors (individuals or groups) and agribusiness Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Through this scheme, the project can provide a maximum of US$10,000 for the investment subprojects of up to 150 individuals and US$20,000 for those of up to 26 groups as matching grant while beneficiaries will contribute at least 20 percent of the subproject cost in cash (either their own equity and/or a commercial loan).  

Individuals and groups interested in the matching grant must apply online through the CPCU website https://www.cpcu.gm/grant-application using the prescribed application forms from 13th May– 13^th June 2024.  

Commenting on the application process, Mr. Momodou Salieu Sowe, Agribusiness Specialist for the GIRAV project stressed that "ONLY application forms submitted online" will be processed. "Any application submitted in hard copy shall be disqualified", he noted. 

He further noted that selected Prospective beneficiaries will be trained, coached, and assisted to develop full business plans with the assistance of business support service providers contracted by the project. The elaborate and Final Business Plan is then submitted for consideration by the National Matching Grant Selection Committee – a multi-sectoral body chaired by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, he added. 

 It could be recalled that in August 2023, the project awarded (USD3.98M (more than D258 million) to 19 Small and Medium Entreprises (SMEs).  From April 26 to 29, Hon. Demba Sabally, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock and Hon. Baboucarr Joof, Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment accompanied by a high level multi-sectoral team embarked on a nationwide monitoring tour of the sub-projects of these SMEs.  The climax of the tour was the presentation of Matching Grant awards of USD1.493m (more than D100million) to 74 groups. The events were hhosted by the Regional Governors at their Office premises. Meanwhile, a total of 351 individuals have also been selected for the award of USD3.510m (more than D228m) latest June 2024.