Two DFID projects (Go Interfish and Shabge) were initiated in 1999 based on the approach. While Go interfish focused on rice-fish production with male and female farmers, SHABGE worked primarily with women to increase homestead horticulture production Although the FFS approach was effective in improving the agriculture production, CARE began to realize that other livelihoods, gender and rights issues were not being addressed.

At The same time, the focus on agriculture production was not inclusive of the poorer segments of society. To further explore and understand these Issues, the DFID funded project focused on those Issues.

RIP program works to Improve the livelihood security of men and women living In 221 .375 poor and vulnerable rural households The project is now operational In 11 districts in the northwest and southeast parts of the country. RLP Is providing more strategic support to farmers by initiating linkages with the private sector for food processing, contract farming, export markets with special focus on social niche. Although the experiential learning and critical thinking of farmers increased agriculture production, it did not led them to that kind of empowerment necessary for sustainable development within the community.

For this reason, RLP has began to experiment with different approaches to community led development, which should led to greater empowerment and independent decision making by both individuals and communities with a strong focus on the extreme poor.