ATAL Online FDP on Innovations in Smart Agriculture and Canara Engineering College, Mangaluru (Jan 05, 2026)

The ATAL Online FDP on Innovations in Smart Agriculture offers a transformative opportunity for educators and researchers to delve into the intersection of modern technology and sustainable farming. Because this programme is hosted by the prestigious Canara Engineering College, it provides high-level academic rigor. Specifically, the six-day schedule focuses on leveraging Machine Learning (ML), the Internet of Things (IoT), and robust security frameworks to solve real-world agricultural challenges. Consequently, participants will gain valuable insights into how data-driven innovations are reshaping the global food production landscape.

Program Highlights

Feature	Details
Program Title	Innovations in Smart Agriculture: Leveraging Machine Learning, IoT, and Security Frameworks
Organizing Institution	Canara Engineering College (Departments of AI & ML and CSE)
Dates & Duration	January 5th to January 10th, 2026 (6 Days)
Mode of Delivery	Online
Daily Schedule	Evening Sessions (typically 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM); Final day starts at 2:00 PM

Program Overview

This ATAL Academy sponsored Faculty Development Programme aims to bridge the gap between theoretical engineering concepts and practical agricultural applications. Specifically, the curriculum addresses the urgent need for smart farming solutions that can mitigate climate risks and improve crop yields. Moreover, by integrating security frameworks, the programme ensures that the digital transformation of agriculture remains resilient against cyber threats.

Furthermore, the initiative is organized by the Department of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in collaboration with the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Therefore, the content is multidisciplinary in nature. Since Canara Engineering College was established in 2001 and is affiliated with VTU Belgaum, it provides a robust academic backdrop for this high-tech discourse.

Target Audience and Eligibility

The programme is designed for a specific cohort of academic and industrial professionals. Specifically, the following groups are encouraged to apply:

• Faculty members from AICTE-approved institutions.
• Research Scholars and Post-Graduate (PG) Scholars.
• Industry Personnel seeking to understand smart agriculture frameworks.

Curriculum & Topics Covered

The FDP is structured into thirteen comprehensive sessions, covering a wide array of technical and practical modules. In addition to core technical sessions, the schedule includes:

• Machine Learning Applications: Trends, challenges, and specific use cases like plant disease detection and soil fertility classification.
• IoT Integration: Implementation of IoT in smart agriculture and the associated security challenges.
• Security Frameworks: Cyber security assessment, mitigation strategies, and security for IoT-based agri-systems.
• Advanced Research: Discussion on research articles involving 1D CNNs and satellite wavebands.
• Domain Expertise: Recent innovations in Horticulture and Soil Science.
• Industrial Perspective: Real-world applications and industrial viewpoints on smart farming.

Resource Persons

The sessions are led by a distinguished panel of experts from academia and industry. For instance, the lineup includes:

• Dr. Jaidhar C. D.: Professor, NITK Surathkal (25 years experience).
• Dr. S. Sridhara: Professor of Agronomy, UAHS Shimoga (25 years experience).
• Dr. Sunil C. K.: Assistant Professor, IIIT Dharwad.
• Dr. Chaminda Hewage: Associate Dean Research, Cardiff School of Technologies, UK.
• Dr. Vibhushinie Bentotahewa: Programme Director, Cardiff School of Technologies, UK.
• Dr. Gururaj H. L.: Associate Professor, MIT, Bengaluru.
• Mr. Gopalakrishna Bhat Kakunje: CEO & MD, Kakunje Software Private Limited.
• Mr. Harish Neermarga: MD, Accolade Tech Solutions, Mangalore.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this FDP, participants will be able to:

• Identify recent trends and challenges in Machine Learning for Smart Agriculture.
• Develop security frameworks to mitigate risks in IoT-based farming applications.
• Analyze research articles focused on CNN-based soil classification.
• Understand the industrial requirements for deploying smart agricultural solutions.
• Implement data-driven strategies for plant disease detection.

Certification & Assessment

To ensure high standards of learning, the ATAL Academy mandates specific criteria for certification. Therefore, participants must adhere to the following:

• Attendance: Participants must maintain rigorous attendance across all sessions.
• Assessment: An Online Test & Feedback session is scheduled for Day 6 (6:30 PM to 7:30 PM).
• Issuing Authority: Consequently, certificates will be issued by the AICTE Training & Learning (ATAL) Academy to successful candidates.

Registration Details

Detail	Information
Registration Portal	click here
Start Date	January 5, 2026
End Date	January 10, 2026
Registration Fee	As per ATAL Academy Norms
Selection Criteria	First-come, first-served / Eligibility based
Schedule Link	Download
Brochure Link	Download

Contact Information

For queries regarding the schedule or registration, please contact the organizing team:

• Coordinator: Dr. Sujatha M (Associate Professor)
  • Phone: +91 8088586029 / +91 8088908463
  • Email: sujatham@canaraengineering.in
• Co-Coordinator: Dr. Demian Antony D’Mello (Professor & Vice Principal)
  • Phone: +91 9448216791
  • Email: demian@canaraengineering.in
• Address: Canara Engineering College, Benjanapadavu, Bantwal Taluk, Mangaluru, Karnataka – 574219.

Key Highlights

• International Expertise: Featuring speakers from Cardiff School of Technologies, UK.
• Interdisciplinary Focus: Combines Computer Science, AI, and Agronomy.
• Evening Slots: Scheduled specifically to accommodate the busy workday of faculty members.
• Industry Insights: Includes direct interaction with CEOs and industry scientists.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is eligible to attend the ATAL Online FDP on Innovations in Smart Agriculture?
The program is open to faculty members, research scholars, and PG scholars from AICTE-approved institutions. In addition, industry personnel interested in smart farming technologies are welcome.

Is there a registration fee for this FDP?
Participants should refer to the official AICTE ATAL portal for fee details. However, these are typically governed by standardized ATAL Academy guidelines.

Will I receive a certificate after the program?
Yes, certificates are provided by the ATAL Academy to participants who meet the attendance requirements. Furthermore, one must successfully pass the online assessment on the final day.

Is the program conducted offline at Mangaluru?
No, this specific FDP is conducted entirely in online mode. As a result, it allows for broad geographical participation.

What technical skills are required to participate?
A basic understanding of Computer Science, IoT, or Agricultural Science is beneficial. Nevertheless, the sessions will cover advanced topics like Machine Learning and Cyber Security in depth.