Centre for Sustainable Agriculture

The organisation focuses on various aspects of sustainable agriculture, including agroecology, innovative farming techniques, and addressing the impacts of climate change. It promotes organic and natural farming practices, emphasizes biosafety concerns related to GM crops and pesticides, and works on sustainable seed systems through diversity revival and conservation. Additionally, it provides extension and advisory services for diagnostics, surveillance, and guidance to enhance agricultural practices.

The organisation is dedicated to building resilient livelihoods by focusing on aspects like nutritional security through household and institutional models. It employs a Sustainable Livelihoods Framework for resource-based planning, capacity building, and establishing linkages. The organisation also works towards diversifying income sources through various means such as on-farm, off-farm, and non-farm livelihoods. It promotes the development of individual and community-based rural enterprises, including bioenterprises, food processing, and retail stores, to enhance economic sustainability in rural areas.

The organisation is actively engaged in promoting Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) by providing incubation and business development support, as well as fostering the growth of Federations. It establishes Farmer Service Centres operated by agri entrepreneurs, offering a comprehensive array of services to farmers. One of its initiatives, FPOhub, aims to create a supportive environment for the development of strong FPOs. These FPOs contribute to the enhancement of livelihoods and entrepreneurial prospects within rural communities while facilitating the transition towards economically viable and ecologically sustainable agricultural practices.

The organisation is actively involved in developing innovative markets to benefit farmers. It explores direct marketing strategies, experimenting with different models to ensure better price realization for farmers. One initiative, Sahaja Aharam Organic Retail, establishes a direct link between urban consumers and rural organic producers. The organisation also facilitates the Farmers' Market Place through FPOhub, connecting farmers with both retail and bulk buyers. A traceability system is being established to track the origins and production methods of food. Consumer engagement is a priority to promote mindful and responsible consumption. Moreover, the organisation focuses on value addition through local processes, ethnic foods, and minimal processing, enhancing the value of agricultural products.

The organisation engages in comprehensive public policy research, focusing on generating evidence to support agroecological methods. It works on developing policy frameworks and financial tools to ensure income security for farmers. Efforts are also directed towards enhancing support systems for farmers through efficient delivery mechanisms, effective governance systems, and recognition of ecosystem services. Regulatory frameworks are examined and improved to create a favourable environment for sustainable agriculture. Additionally, the organisation conducts impact assessments through its Agriwatch initiative to gauge the effectiveness of its initiatives.