Ensuring food security by protecting wild varieties and changing livelihoods and life in general to being more eco-friendly makes this project a highly sustainable one having far reaching effects into the future. Conscientious record keeping of their cultivation activities provides a point of reference for study and self evaluation adding to the sustainability. Sharing knowledge, resources and challenges in the village level committees have strengthened community ties. The Saturday sales program of produce by community is already independent of the implementing organization and in charge of the community. The quarterly meetings at BRIT allow the opportunity for wider use of the Center?s resources and to gain more knowledge from special invitees. Experiential learning- finding for themselves the cost benefits, health and other advantages of these practices ensures the longevity of the practices themselves... The project has paved the way for related events the latest being a medical clinic with a demonstration of healthy food on table; for diabetics.

Environment sustainability and poverty alleviation are the MDGSs followed by this project while it is line with Environment Ministry policies.

Establishment of revolving fund

Home garden development as an alternative income generation. 06 families are given livestock development aids too.

Indigenous knowledge and people are the key components of this project.

No special gender considerations

They have done two similar projects with GEF grants and have gained much experience and also linked beneficiaries of the first project (bamboo harvesters and craftsmen) with the second. They have gained experience and expertise in motivating communities to uplift and extend the margins of the existing trade. If a medium sized GEF grant is approved they would link the trade directly to the foreign markets with direct export mechanisms in place. Already discussions have taken place with the Export Development Board and the Handicraft Development Board on how this should be done.

Very old varieties of paddy grown successfully and successes with organic fertilizer and traditional pest control have created an interest in observers to replicate these practices. Non participants are eagerly watching and joining and slowly but surely all farmers are finding the results of those who ventured first very encouraging to replicate organic practices. The income being assured owing to the sales outlet where all produce is collected and earnings brought to the doorstep is another very positive factor to encourage replication.