1982 – AME was started in The Netherlands as an innovative international training programme in ecological agriculture - attracting participants from all over the world.

1986 – Got relocated to India, Pondicherry, as it was felt that the initiative would be more relevant in developing countries with large populations.

1986-1990 - Focused on training in ecological aspects, establishing a unique identity.

1990-1994 - Focused on “hands-on,” training through Participatory Technology Development and practiced in different locations in evolving LEISA technologies.

1993-94 - Shifted to Bangalore with a fresh mandate and a long term perspective to focus on dry land agriculture in the Deccan Plateau.

1996-2002 – As a bilateral project, focussed on concepts, approaches and practices pertaining to sustainable agriculture and ecology, participatory training, LEISA technologies, IPM, NRM and ICM, gender and equity issues and information sharing.

2002 onwards - as AME Foundation managed by a Board of Trustees, strengthening the activities and approaches with a long term perspective.

Earlier, for over a decade, AME programme has been implemented by ETC consultants. The programme was guided by expatriate specialists, for a major period (1993-2001), by Edith van Walsum, Team Leader and H Lanting, Sr. Agronomist.