By relying of farmers' perception and proxy indicators, the PCR states that over 53%
of farmers noted that their production has increased due to improved yields and
expansion of lowland cropping area. In particular, there was an increase in the hhs
growing lowland rice (from 16% to 34%), with a decrease in the hhs growing upland
rice (from 96% to 85%). There was also an increase in the number of hhs growing
fruit (from 32% to 56%), vegetables (from 74% to 92%) and NTFPs (from 1% to
24%). Yields for major crops such as upland and lowland rice, corn, sesame, stayed
stable between 2002 and 2008. Rice production per ha in OCISP areas increased by
an estimated 26% due to more cropping on lowland areas. In addition, an important
project's contribution was the change in cropping patterns in project villages, with a
significant decline in the area of shifting cultivation by 27%. Finally, many hhs and
especially poorer hhs, have gained knowledge of caring for livestock and as a result
herd sizes have increased.