Why this course?

While the adverse impacts of current dominant agricultural practices on soil, water, the environment, and human health are now well known, various alternatives, broadly known as sustainable agriculture practices, have also gained ground and entered mainstream policies. Several State governments, as well as the Union government, now have schemes to support such practices. Hundreds of social sector organisations across many states are also engaged in promoting sustainable agriculture while striving to enhance farmers’ income and wellbeing.

However, a broad consensus on what truly constitutes sustainable agriculture is yet to emerge. Diverse practices related to soil, seeds, pesticides, fertilisers, and irrigation are seen on the ground, all claiming to be sustainable. Often, the discourse on sustainable agriculture — mostly among practitioners — is shaped by ideological preferences stemming from different interpretations of sustainability. Interestingly, these differences appear more on the input side of practices, and much less on the outcome side — in terms of soil health, water table depletion, biodiversity, environmental outcomes, and impacts on human health.

Educational programmes on sustainable agriculture also vary widely. Most are hands-on trainings focused on imparting skills related to a crop’s ​“package of practices.” Few offer a comprehensive understanding of sustainable agriculture — its science, diverse practices, and their links to outcomes, particularly how farmers perceive them economically and through their own sustainability lens.

Therefore, Azim Premji University, in collaboration with the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA), has designed this course to fill that gap and provide a well-rounded learning experience.

What does the course offer?

This course offers a comprehensive understanding of sustainable agriculture, encompassing its key perspectives, practices, and outcomes at the farm and farmer levels. It draws from diverse approaches such as deep ecology, organic, natural, and permaculture farming, which differ in their on-ground practices and methods.

Participants will explore various ideas of sustainability in agriculture, key scientific principles, and the diversity of practices. The course will also address soil health, pest and disease management, seed systems, farm economics, and farmer behaviour, concluding with the challenges of scaling up.

Key takeaways

• Understanding of multiple perspectives and principles of sustainable agriculture
• Insights into diverse on-ground practices and their variations
• Knowledge of core components: soil health, pest and disease management, seed systems, and farm economics
• Awareness of behavioural and systemic challenges in scaling up sustainable agriculture

These will be delivered in about 20 sessions over 5 days. The following table briefly outlines the sessions. 

Who can apply?

A five-day learning course ideal for founders, senior government officials, CSO functionaries, consultants, and rural livelihood practitioners. The course explores sustainable agriculture in depth — its perspectives, field practices, and outcomes — drawing from organic, natural, permaculture, and deep ecology approaches.

Eligibility and selection 

Applications are open to individuals and organisations. Participants will be shortlisted based on experience and application. 

Important dates

The last date for applying:  31 Dec 2025. 

Payment process: 10 Jan 2026 (for selected candidates)

The last day for fee payment: 15 Jan 2026. 

The decision of the evaluation committee will be final.

Pedagogy 

 The course will be conducted in a mix of Hindi and English. It shall utilise published texts, videos and class presentations followed by interactive classroom sessions to explore the issues that will be discussed. The course will be conducted face-to-face only. Course materials will be available in Hindi and English.

Certificate of participation

The participants will be awarded a Certificate of Participation after successfully attending all the days and submitting assignments.

Course faculty

This course is being offered jointly by the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and Azim Premji University. Manjula M, Preeti Singh, Dr Gowri Sankara Rao and Dr GV Ramanjaneyulu will facilitate the sessions of this course. 

Banner image credit: Prahlad Inala @Unsplash