Sustainable Agriculture: Perspective, Practices and Their Applications in the Field December 2026 Batch

The growing interest in sustainable agriculture has led to the emergence of diverse approaches such as agroecology, organic farming, natural farming, regenerative agriculture and integrated farming systems. While these approaches share common concerns around ecological sustainability and farmer wellbeing, practitioners often encounter fragmented knowledge, competing narratives, and limited opportunities to critically engage with the scientific principles underlying these practices. This challenge is particularly relevant for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and extension personnel who work directly with smallholder farmers, women, and marginalised communities. 

We at Azim Premji University have done consultations with CSOs along with field visits to develop a detailed understanding of the need. The university is uniquely positioned to address this need through Azim Premji Foundation’s long-standing engagement with CSOs, practitioner-oriented education, and commitment to strengthening the development sector. The University provides a credible platform where scientific inquiry, field experience, and practitioner knowledge can come together to deepen understanding and promote informed action.

The 10-day residential course has been designed specifically to address these identified capacity gaps. It seeks to build both the perspective and competencies of field practitioners by providing a rigorous understanding of the principles, science, opportunities, and limitations of different sustainable agriculture approaches. Through field-based learning, peer exchange, reflection, and action planning, participants will strengthen their ability to support farmers in developing resilient, productive, and locally relevant farming systems. The programme therefore responds directly to a critical need within the sustainable agriculture ecosystem while advancing the University’s mission of contributing to socially relevant knowledge and practice.

What does the course offer?

The 10 days will cover a range of themes, with each theme explored through four sessions.

Who should attend?

On-field practitioners or extension personnel from CSOs or government extension departments with a minimum of 3 – 4 years of experience in natural resource management, extension services, agricultural livelihoods, or rural development.

Eligibility and selection

All applicants are required to have a functional working knowledge of both Hindi and English, along with basic practical experience in farming or agricultural practices. 

Important dates

Last date of application: 30 Oct 2026

Last date for fee payment: 15 Nov 2026

Pedagogy

The course will be transacted through interactive sessions, lectures, small group activities, videos, hands on exercises, observatory learning in KVK farm, farmer testimonials, case stories, exposure visits, simulation game, etc. 

Medium of instruction:  A mix of English and Hindi. The course will be conducted face-to-face only. Course materials will be available in English. 

Course faculty 

The course will be facilitated by the faculty members of Azim Premji University and resource persons from Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Hyderabad.

Sumit Sow, Prabhat Kr Jha, Binju Abraham (Azim Premji University, Ranchi)

Ramoo, Gowri Shankar, Uday Kiran (Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Hyderabad)

Certificate of participation

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

Get in touch 

Email –sustainableagriculture.​course@​apu.​edu.​in