Diploma in Sustainable Farming (DSF)
This course is designed for those who would like to help the world towards the conservation of our natural resources and to maintain the required balance of our ecosystems. In this course we are covering detailed studies of economic, commercial, marketing and production techniques which are explored in a comprehensive way to help move a farm towards improved sustainability. These courses also provide opportunity to study popular agriculture standards available.
The Sustainable Agriculture Standard designs this course in accordance to our tag-line
“Better Health for Customer and Better Wealth for Farmer”
COURSE AIMS
The main aims of these courses are –
- Make farmer (specially young generation of farmers) aware of “Sustainable Agriculture” methods
- Promote Organic and Natural Farming in major agriculture based economies.
- Spreading awareness for improving soil and water quality.
- Encouraging students to choose sustainable agriculture as their full time carrier options.
- Prepare force of auditors and inspector to work in sustainable agriculture certification.
- Training for Global Standards like NPOP, NOP, GOTs, EU etc.
- Helps producers and processor to follow compliances for the specific standard’s guideline.
- Long term improvements in productivity
- Risk management
- Waste management
- How to achieve more production per hector without impacting health of soil
- In house testing and adoption of best farming practices.
- The protection of biodiversity
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS
- Course contents are prepared by team of experts after year of research.
- Digital platform for training and assessment.
- Course contents are available in local language* (in process of covering as much possible language).
- On field experience
- Placement assistance from SAS (specially for young student looking for full and part time carrier in sustainable agriculture field)
AVAILABLE OPPORTUNITIES
- Opportunities for farmer to increase production without compromise environment health.
- By applying knowledge can produce crop which can be sell at premium price.
- Become Certified Agronomy Expert (CAE)
- Be a Certified Auditor/Inspector for a Certification Agency
- One can become Sustainable Agriculture Standards.
COURSE STRUCTURE
Lesson 1 – Introduction to Sustainable Agriculture
- Sustainable practices
- Whole farm planning & management
- Land Management programs
- Sustainable ways of farming
- Organic farming
- Natural farming
- Perm culture
- No Dig techniques
- Biodynamic
Lesson 2 – Standards
- Quality systems
- Following Standards
- Adopting global standards
- Guidelines
- Self inspection and checklist
- Dos and Don’ts
- NPOP, NOP, GOTS, USDA, PGS-India, UNECE, CGSB-Organic, EU
Lesson 3 – Soils
- Know your Soil properties
- Major types of soil problems
- In-house soil testing techniques
- Soil structural decline
- Erosion
- Salinity
- Acidification
- Soil improvements
- Adding organic matter to soils
- Cultivation techniques
- Conservation tillage
- Plant nutrition
- Soil life
- Cover crops
Lesson 4—Water
- Types of water storage
- Livestock water
- Water quality
- Reed beds
- Irrigation systems
- Recycling
- Swales and key lines
Lesson 5— Land Care
- Weed Management
- Preventative measures
- Tree management
- Timber lots/plantations
- Crop Rotation
- Wildlife corridors
- Pest and diseases
Lesson 6 – Financial Sustainability & Use of Technology
- Economic principles
- Developing a Farm Business Plan
- Financial plan
- Wealth out of waste
- Marketing
- Risk mitigation planning
- Adopting technology (advance sowing, Irrigation, harvesting techniques)
- Use of digital platforms
Project/On fields study –
- Investigate whether an organic certification scheme operates in the country, and if so, find out what is involved currently in attaining that certification for a farm.
- Investigate what is being done to improve agricultural sustainability in country or region.
- Contact organizations and farmers and find out what are different resources available to assist with improving sustainability in area.
- Obtain information from your local government department. Find out what the local water quality is like and how it was measured.
- Explain how local water supply for contaminants can be tested. What contaminants were found and what are possible solutions for its treatment supply e.g. filtration, chemicals, etc.
- Cost effective means by which contamination can be prevented.
- Identify types of water catchment in local area. E.g. dams, streams, creeks etc.
- Find out what types of conservation are being practiced in local area.
- Outline methods of pest control being practiced in area.
- Describe methods of weed control used in area.
- Identify and describe any natural control methods being used in area.
- Research tourism activities are available in local area.
- Investigate planning and advisory services in your local area.