T. Sujatha with K. Ganga, Chikantapura Village, Bellary, Karnataka, India Rudramma, pigeonpea farmer, Chikantapura Village, Bellary, Karnataka, India Water-retaining structures lay the foundation for prosperity in the drylands of Bellary Cattle manure and crop refuse gets added to vermicomposting Rudramma's husband, Bellary Nagabhushana pours water into the cement structure for housing earthworms Earthworms, the key component of vermicomposting Water helps create valuable manure using earthworms Rudramma and Shivappa preparing the field, Bellary Rudramma mixing zinc and gypsum, Bellary Chickpea seeds being prepared for planting Rudramma's son Shivappa sprinkles micronutrients before planting Rudramma and her husband in their field Chilies spread to dry, Bellary Harvesting chilies, Bellary Chili harvesting, Bellary Thimayya prepares the soil for planting Mallikarjuna and other farmers measure a 5'x5' plot Measuring the plot Thimayya prepares the soil for planting Thimayya preparing the soil for planting Careful measuring of demo plots to help farmers compare benefit from new technologies Measuring the harvest to compare yields Mallikarjuna with his harvest Working on the demo plots planted with improved varieties