BEES, in 2001, initiated "Smallholder Agricultural Intensification Project (SAIP)" with assistance from IFAD. The main objective of the project was to improve the socio- economic status of the target beneficiaries by promoting food security, nutritional status and agricultural diversification of landless, marginal and small farmers. The project intervention areas; Nokla and Jhinagati upazilas of Sherpur district are encompassed by disadvantaged tribal people and inhabitants of the 'char' of the northern areas of the country who are the target benef!ciaries for the SAIP. BEES, therefore, is worki(1g with the tribal people and inhabitants of char under its program, and it has so far formed 34 groups comprising 577 tribal women.