During the early years, AF focused on Natural Resource Management and drought mitigation based on an Area Development approach. It implemented extensively, soil and water conservation measures in lands belonging to Dalit and tribal farmers. It soon realized that working only with Dalits and their scattered land holdings alone would help them to an extent but cannot be an effective strategy to upgrade and conserve the environment and combat drought in desert like Anantapur District. So, AF began to work with whole village and all farmers with an “Area Development Approach” focusing on Soil & Moisture Conservation, Rain Water Harvesting, Restoration of Traditional Water bodies, Vegetation improvement, horticulture etc.