Maa Mati – Centre of Excellence on Agroecological Farming To promote and popularise the practice of agroecological farming, i-Concept Initiatives (ICI) conceived the idea of establishing a Centre of Excellence named ‘Maa Mati’, which means ‘Mother Soil’. The main purpose of Maa Mati is to revive traditional and age-old agricultural practices and combine them with modern scientific knowledge and methods. Many traditional farming practices were closely connected with nature and made careful use of soil, water, seeds, livestock and other natural resources. Maa Mati aims to bring back these valuable practices in a more systematic and scientific way so that farming becomes more sustainable, productive and climate-resilient. The concept of Maa Mati is based on the understanding that healthy agriculture begins with healthy soil and a strong connection between farmers, nature and traditional knowledge. The Centre of Excellence provides a space where traditional knowledge and scientific approaches can come together, allowing farmers and communities to learn, experiment and develop better farming practices. Maa Mati therefore aims to serve as a Centre of Excellence for agroecological and organic farming, where farmers can learn through practical demonstrations, exchange their knowledge and experiences, and explore sustainable farming practices. The initiative also seeks to encourage the conservation of traditional seeds, improvement of soil health, responsible use of natural resources and the adoption of farming systems that are better suited to changing climatic conditions. Through Maa Mati, ICI aims to support farmers in moving towards farming practices that are environment-friendly, economically sustainable and beneficial for future generations. The Centre seeks to strengthen the knowledge and confidence of farmers while promoting a farming system that respects both people and nature.