The environment was being further damaged by soil erosion which was a result of cultivation on sloping land as people were changing forests into farmland.
[1] The programme has generally been economically positive for most areas involved,[1] and initial concerns about income inequality and corruption were abated.
Specifically, research found that the income status of households was not a determining factor in inclusion in Grain for Green.
Nevertheless, in many locations it has failed to deliver benefits for biodiversity on the land it has converted[2] - many tree plantations were mono-cultures which were cheap to plant and easy for the farmers to maintain.
Research has found that with minimal extra cost, Grain for Green can promote biodiversity by planting mixed forests.