The Advanced Training in Conservation Agriculture (CA) and Regenerative Agriculture (RA) was held from December 3–23, 2024, in India, organized by CIMMYT, the Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA), and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). This three-week course focused on sustainable farming methods to address agrifood system challenges, particularly in the face of climate change. It attracted farmers, scientists, and stakeholders from various countries, providing them with the tools and knowledge to implement climate-resilient farming practices in both irrigated and rainfed areas.
Conservation agriculture and regenerative agriculture emphasize the health of ecosystems, aiming to improve yields, restore natural resources, and reduce farming costs. The core principles of these approaches minimal soil disturbance, continuous soil cover, and crop diversification are designed to develop resilient agricultural systems that can withstand climate change, protect the environment, and improve rural livelihoods. In South Asia, where agriculture is heavily reliant on natural resources, these methods are crucial in combating soil fertility loss, water scarcity, pollution, and other challenges exacerbated by climate change.
Despite the benefits of CA, its adoption has been slow due to barriers such as lack of knowledge, limited access to appropriate tools, and insufficient policy support. To overcome these challenges, training and capacity-building are essential. The course, now in its 13th edition, is part of an ongoing effort to scale up CA technologies among smallholder farmers. It also connects cutting-edge scientific research with practical, on-the-ground solutions, helping participants gain expertise in sustainable intensification, crop diversification, and natural resource conservation.
The training program is the result of a partnership between CIMMYT and ICAR, launched in 2010 to address the challenges of sustainable agriculture. Over the years, it has benefited more than 220 researchers, policymakers, and development practitioners from 20 countries. The latest edition, held in India, welcomed mid-career researchers from Uzbekistan, Morocco, and India, and was coordinated by experts from CIMMYT, ICAR, and BISA.
The course began with an inauguration at the NASC Complex in New Delhi, where S.K. Chaudhari, Deputy Director General for Natural Resource Management at ICAR, highlighted the importance of CA in mitigating climate challenges. He praised CIMMYT’s role in promoting CA in India and reflected on the long-term impact of the program, noting the success of past training sessions in fostering the careers of young scientists.
Participants explored a wide range of topics, including emerging technologies like drones, carbon credits, soil fertility management, and crop modeling. These sessions were complemented by field visits to research stations and practical training. At BISA’s research station in Ludhiana, participants gained hands-on experience in CA practices under the guidance of experts from Punjab Agricultural University. They also visited ICAR-CSSRI in Karnal, where they learned about long-term CA experiments and participated in demonstrations on soil biology and its role in policy decisions.
The program also included a visit to agricultural machinery manufacturers such as Landforce and National Agroindustry, where participants observed advanced manufacturing techniques and the latest equipment. They also had the opportunity to interact with agricultural machinery manufacturers at the 5th India International Agri Expo in Ludhiana, gaining insights into emerging trends in the industry.
A visit to a village near Karnal allowed participants to interact with farmers who practice CA, providing a first-hand look at the real-world benefits of these practices. This experience reinforced the importance of CA in enhancing farm productivity and sustainability.
The success of this training underscores the importance of continued collaboration in promoting sustainable agricultural practices. By equipping participants with practical skills, the program strengthened their ability to implement CA and RA techniques, while also providing them with valuable insights into innovative agricultural technologies and carbon credit schemes. These outcomes highlight the critical role of capacity development in enhancing food security, building climate resilience, and promoting sustainable development, particularly in the Global South.
