Is the reward earned from working at a micro-loan association, which relies on interest with government grants to cover its expenses, considered usury (riba) or does it have a semblance of usury? And is it permissible to borrow from the state to finance an agricultural project under the aforementioned conditions as an alternative to working at this association?

The work of the questioner in the mentioned association is not permissible due to two prohibitions: The first is that the association's primary work is lending with interest, and the second is that a part of his salary is taken from the forbidden interest on loans. If the work is forbidden, then the corresponding wage is forbidden, from whatever source it may be. Therefore, he must leave this work unless he is compelled to it, and necessity is estimated by its measure. If he finds a permissible job, he must immediately leave the forbidden work. The agricultural loan, if a part of it is returned with interest, is not permissible unless the borrower is compelled to it.