Sustainable Farming Techniques
Master organic agriculture methods that protect soil health while maximizing crop yields through natural processes and eco-friendly practices.
Course Overview
This comprehensive 12-week program transforms conventional farming approaches into sustainable, organic systems that enhance soil fertility, reduce environmental impact, and increase long-term productivity. You'll learn time-tested organic methods alongside cutting-edge sustainable technologies specifically adapted for Sri Lankan agricultural conditions.
What You'll Learn
- Soil health assessment and organic fertility management
- Natural pest and disease control methods
- Composting and organic matter management
- Crop rotation and companion planting strategies
- Water-efficient irrigation systems
- Organic certification processes and standards
Who Should Enroll
- Small to medium-scale farmers
- Agricultural extension officers
- Environmental sustainability advocates
- Young farmers entering agriculture
- Cooperative leaders and managers
- Anyone transitioning to organic farming
Payment plans available
Next batch starts: July 15, 2025
Course Curriculum
Module 1-2: Foundations of Sustainable Agriculture â–¼
• Understanding sustainable farming principles and their environmental benefits
• Soil ecology and the living soil food web
• Transitioning from conventional to organic farming systems
• Economic analysis of sustainable farming operations
Module 3-4: Soil Health and Fertility Management â–¼
• Soil testing and interpretation for organic systems
• Composting techniques and organic matter incorporation
• Natural fertilizers and soil amendments
• Biofertilizer production and application
Module 5-6: Integrated Pest Management â–¼
• Beneficial insect identification and conservation
• Organic pesticide preparation from local plants
• Disease prevention through cultural practices
• Monitoring and threshold-based interventions
Module 7-8: Crop Planning and Biodiversity â–¼
• Crop rotation design for nutrient cycling
• Companion planting and polyculture systems
• Cover crops and green manure integration
• Seed saving and variety selection
Module 9-10: Water Management and Conservation â–¼
• Drip irrigation system design and installation
• Rainwater harvesting and storage techniques
• Mulching strategies for moisture retention
• Watershed management principles
Module 11-12: Certification and Market Access â–¼
• Organic certification process and documentation
• Record keeping and traceability systems
• Marketing organic products and price premiums
• Building direct-to-consumer relationships
Meet Your Instructor
Dr. Thilaka Gunawardena
Senior Organic Farming Specialist
Dr. Gunawardena brings over 20 years of experience in sustainable agriculture research and practice to this course. She holds a PhD in Soil Science from the University of Peradeniya and has worked extensively with farming communities across Sri Lanka to implement organic farming systems.
Qualifications:
- • PhD Soil Science, University of Peradeniya
- • Certified Organic Inspector
- • 200+ research publications
- • IFOAM Organic Agriculture Expert
Specializations:
- • Tropical soil fertility management
- • Indigenous pest control methods
- • Organic certification processes
- • Climate-resilient farming systems
Ready to Transform Your Farming?
Join our next Sustainable Farming Techniques course and start your journey toward profitable, eco-friendly agriculture.
Sustainable Farming Education for Sri Lankan Agriculture
Sustainable farming techniques represent the future of Sri Lankan agriculture, combining traditional wisdom with modern ecological science to create farming systems that are both productive and environmentally responsible. Our comprehensive training program addresses the specific challenges faced by farmers across Sri Lanka's diverse agricultural zones, from the rice paddies of the North Central Province to the hill country vegetable farms of the Central Province.
The course curriculum integrates ancient Ayurvedic agricultural principles with contemporary organic farming methodologies, creating a uniquely Sri Lankan approach to sustainable agriculture. Students learn to work with natural biological processes, enhancing soil fertility through composting, beneficial microbial activity, and strategic crop rotations that maintain productive yields while building long-term soil health.
Practical training sessions take place across multiple agroecological zones, ensuring that students understand how sustainable techniques adapt to different rainfall patterns, soil types, and growing seasons. The program emphasizes water conservation methods particularly relevant to Sri Lanka's monsoon-dependent agriculture, teaching efficient irrigation techniques that maximize water use efficiency during both Yala and Maha cultivation seasons.
Graduates of this program typically achieve 30-40% reductions in input costs while maintaining or increasing yields, making sustainable farming not only environmentally beneficial but economically advantageous. The organic certification component opens access to premium markets both domestically and internationally, providing enhanced income opportunities for progressive farmers committed to sustainable practices.