 The Derg recognized and acknowledged that the TPLF was gaining supporters and strength, which was a direct threat to its regime.So, in an attempt to undermine TPLF support, the Derg began restricting the sale of agricultural implements to peasants in an effort to cut food production.This plan ended up backfiring, causing harm to the urban-based military which forced the Derg to drop the practice and move on to something else.