The villagers’ capacity to get involved in the program has been reduced due to uncertainty in the area as the result of ongoing political crisis. They have suffered because they can’t sell their goods to the market even with regular prices. However, the loan program still allows the beneficiaries to make a small income for surviving during this critical situation.

The betel nut growers continued to take care of their plantation. Their plants are growing well. We have had a few challenges such as bad weather this year and an unstable market to sell their products. The families that do the mat weaving business were benefiting a few months ago, but now they have no buyers since the number of people traveling to their area has declined dramatically because of the raging battles across the country.