Agriculture is the primary mainstay of the economy of the area. The majority of the agriculture is rain-fed. The fragmentation of land-holdings in the hill districts compounds the problem. The project intends to develop an effective approach to improve the contribution of agriculture to sustainable livelihoods to serve the majority of small farmers. The project envisages to promote crop diversification as a risk mitigation strategy - a mix of food, horticulture, floriculture and herbs and aromatic plants and provide small and marginal farmers with market access to facilitate better price realisation. The income enhancement is also looked at through value addition and processing of fruits, herbs and vegetables as the major portion of Grade B and C fruits and vegetables, do not generate adequate price for their produce. The project will also reduce migration of youth and involve them in productive work who otherwise associate agriculture with poverty and hard work and feel the non-farm employment is more gainful.