The program with the theme “Transformation into organic and agro-ecology based agriculture in India” of the international conference is divided into eight sessions:

Session 1 – State of the Art and Lessons Learned

This session will reflect on the state-of-the-art and lessons learnt in transforming India’s agriculture into organic and agro-ecology based agricultural systems. It will include views and experiences from the Government of India as well as of individual state governments most experienced in promoting organic agriculture (e.g., Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh) or having declared 100% organic production (e.g., Sikkim).

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Session 2: Perspectives, Contributions and Lessons Learned from National and International Organizations

In this session, the national and international organizations will provide their perspectives and contributions to the agroecological transformation process in India. Developments in other countries will be presented including policies and programs of the European Union, which may provide additional impetus for the discussion of the Indian context.

Session 3: Millet Production, Processing and Value -Addition Aspects

The session focuses boosting production with smart farming to unlocking their rich nutritional value, the presentations explore the strategies to turn millets into a global force for food security. They aim at tackling post-harvest challenges to extend shelf life and add value, all while paving the way for mainstreaming these “superfoods” for a healthier and more secure future.

Session 4: Advances in Crop and Cropping System Research

This session is planned to discuss advances in crop and cropping system research towards organic and agro-ecology based agriculture. The session will provide an overview about India’s research program on organic and agro-ecology based agriculture and the future perspectives. Likewise, the agro-ecology approach implemented by the One CGIAR research initiative on Agro-ecology with focus on India will be presented. Various CGIAR centers will present progress and constraints of organic production of individual crops.

Session 5: Lessons Learned from Training and Extension Centers

Organic and agro-ecology based agricultural systems are knowledge intensive and require special skills and adapted training and extension approaches. Also, research in organic agriculture must be strengthned and students prepared to conduct basic and applied research related to organic agriculture. This session will cover and discuss these aspects with presentations provided by national training and extension centers and the newly established Global Academy of Agro-ecology Research and Learning (IGGAARL) in Andra Pradesh.

Session 6: Lessons Learned from Schemes, Initiatives and Organic Farming Oganizations

The Government of India and state governments have financed several successful programs on organic and agro-ecology based agriculture. Achievements and lessons learnt in these programs will be presented in this session. In this session also, area and landscape approaches to scale agro-ecological approaches will be presented. The session will also discuss experiences of organisatoins following international organic farming certifications.

Session 7: Lessons Learnt from Certification Companies and Bodies

In this session, the conference will reflect and discuss the challenges and experiences of farmers and private companies moving into organic agriculture and marketing of organic products. This will also include deliberations and recommendations by certification companies which should be helpful for certification authorities as well as for small and large-scale farmers who like to transform their farming systems into a fully organic production system.

Session 8: Road Map Ahead

In this session, the conference will be finalized with concluding remarks from the organizers providing a summary of main lessons learnt and recommendations of the conference for the “Transformation into Organic and Agro-ecology based agriculture in Karnataka”.