The Agroecology for Food Systems Transformation (AE FST) certificate course ran from 15 January to 10 April 2025, with a 12-week hybrid format that included both online and field-based components. Participants engaged in eight weeks of interactive online coursework, followed by four weeks of field immersion with partner organisations across India, allowing them to apply concepts in real-world settings.
This cohort brought together individuals from across the country, representing a healthy mix of backgrounds—from early-career entrants to experienced practitioners—all sharing an interest in agroecological approaches to food systems. The course featured over 40 live sessions, each led by facilitators drawn from academia, grassroots NGOs, and the policy sector, ensuring participants benefited from a rich blend of theory and practice. Fieldwork placements were organised in collaboration with several partner civil society organisations and enterprises, enabling direct exposure to local innovations and community-driven approaches.
Facilitators for this batch included more than 20+ experienced professionals drawn from academia, NGOs, government organisations, and independent practice, ensuring a rich balance of theoretical and field perspectives throughout the course. These facilitators represented organisations such as Welthungerhilfe, Sambhaav Trust, CSA Grameen Academy, Swayyam, IIT Delhi, University of Calcutta, IFOAM, GIZ, and Ajam Emba, among others.
A network of partner organisations and enterprises across India enabled field immersion and hands-on learning. These partnerships provided invaluable real-world exposure to diverse agroecological landscapes and community-driven initiatives. Participants undertook their four-week fieldwork at one of the following:
- Ayang (Majuli, Assam)
- CSA (Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh)
- Farm 2 Food (Golaghat, Assam)
- Nature Farm (Pailan, West Bengal)
- Paushtik Life (Raiganj, West Bengal)
- Pragati (Koraput, Odisha)
- PRAVAH (Deogarh, Jharkhand)
- Sambhaav Trust (Dungarpur and Jaisalmer, Rajasthan)
- WILD (Simultala, Bihar).
Designed to encourage cross-learning, the program fostered dynamic exchanges among students and facilitators, and many participants remain connected with each other and course partners even after completion. This holistic approach has helped nurture a new network of agroecology practitioners ready to drive transformation in diverse contexts.