The main purpose of the study is to gather baseline information which are needed to analyze and evaluate the existing socio-economic status of the benefited households (either grant or micro loans or combination) in six projects through selected indicators. The projects cover tea, dairy, poultry, covering the locations of Rathnapura, Kalutara, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Matara, Galle and Kandy.

The proposed baseline study is more comprehensive than conventional baselines which aim to understand the socioeconomic status including poverty status through income, productivity, livelihood assets, and housing and other household facilities and amenities. It also aims to examine root causes of poverty of the target beneficiaries, and information on their product, volume of production, value addition through various channels, and constraints and existing opportunities etc. Hence, wider range of qualitative and quantitative data/information is required to accomplish the assigned objectives. In recognizing the baseline status, the focus is mainly on the five capitals or assets (i.e. Asset pentagon) namely, social, human, financial, physical and natural. In addition to that it is needed to concentrate on value chain.