Regions: Central India

Jowar — drought-hardy grain and fodder in one, on almost no inputs.

One of the small millets of tribal central India, quick and undemanding.

The big white-waxed gourd of the south, stored for months after harvest.

Sprawls generously and stores well; the leaves and flowers are food too.

Drought-hardy bean of the west — fixes nitrogen and crops where little else will.

Pods, beans and green manure from one undemanding monsoon plant.

Bush beans for winter troughs; pole kinds for a balcony net.

The winter sem of the plains, purple-flowered and heavy-cropping on a fence.

A shrubby pulse that stands two years, fixes nitrogen and shelters small birds.

A winter pulse that also gives the sour green leaf of the north.