Padek’s interventions make it possible for farmers to access small and appropriate farming technologies, quality seed, affordable credit through SHGs, irrigation and other non-farm skills (motor mechanic, sewing, basket weaving, cooking...). These enable them to diversify their farming practice to include animal and fish raising, vegetable and fruit gardening and other non-farm income generating activities. How to increase income for these small-scale farmers by helping them to make the transition from subsistence agriculture to more market oriented productivity is a challenge for Padek. In Padek’s project area, about 90% to 95% of families among the poor and very poor have been facing food shortages every year because of small agricultural land holdings, infertile land, labor shortages and lack of available capital. Farm production is affected by natural disasters (flooding, drought, irregular rainfall) and a lack of irrigation systems. Farmers also face low market prices at harvest season. In response to these issues the ASU aims to educate community experts by providing training in the areas of sustainable agriculture, small scale fish culture, home gardens, fruit trees and versatile trees, System of Rice Intensification (SRI), and livestock health. The experts have gained knowledge and new experiences on how to increase their farm production from the training workshops and they in turn share this information with others in the communities. However some experts do not have time to disseminate the information, knowledge or experiences gained from the training/refresher courses to community members during the rainy season as they are busy tending their own rice fields. In PADEK area, about 70% of farmers use chemical fertilizers and about 45% use pesticides. The ASU is strongly committed to working to reduce the use of these, by promoting organic fertilizer, crop rotations and cover crops. In addition, information on the negative environmental health impacts of using chemical fertilizer and pesticides have been disseminated to farmers. The ASU facilitates to fulfill the priority needs in the communities on small scale agricultural infrastructure projects, such as building dams, water gates, canals, culverts and small roads. The ASU coordinated with community members, CDC, VDC, Commune Councils, local authorities and other relevant agencies to study the causes of poverty and food shortages from year-to-year, in order to identify the problems and to prioritize the alternative solutions. Padek has started to integrate disaster management into its community development activities. Within the framework of the PICDM, institutional capacity building will take place where community leaders from all sectors (VDCs, Expert groups, SHG members, etc) will be trained in community-based risk management. In order to share information related to disaster issues, Padek facilitates communication and networking with government agencies and NGOs for assistance and relief. In 2009-2012, Padek together with community agricultural experts, half of them women, will learn by cooperating with International Development Enterprises (IDE), to identify pro-poor market opportunities. The primary outcome of this activity is to increase income of woman farmers by helping them to make the transition from subsistence agriculture to more market oriented production.