Multiple disabled people were not selected because of the special needs they have in terms of mobility, understanding and replicating potential. Candidates with basic literacy were favored as to facilitate learning. From the remaining list of a few hundred, people needed to be selected from various communities. Because of feasibility and the pilot nature of the project, it is necessary to monitor the number of trainees who come from a same community as to avoid saturation of the local market. Trainers must verify that candidates have family support, community support and access to land for the set-up of a mushroom house following training.
Final selection is made after reviewing all potential trainees.
Because this is a pilot project, only 20 - 30 candidates per group could be selected. Although strict criteria were followed, two trainees of the second group returned home after only a few weeks for personal and family reasons. Criteria are there to increase chances of sustainability but cannot control unexpected events that may occur in the private lives of trainees.