Changing Farming Lives in South India, Past and Present

Aims

This project brings an original arts and humanities perspective to the crucial development challenges of food security, biodiversity, and climate adaptation faced by small and marginal farmers.

Investigators

Sandip Hazareesingh, Open University (Principal Investigator)

Funding

This project is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

Summary

Focusing on women farmers in the State of Karnataka in South India, Changing Farming Lives explores the potential of oral history in the form of filmed and recorded interviews, to document and support small farmer resilience to the challenges of food security and climate change. The project involves a partnership between researchers in the UK and the NGO Green Foundation in India.

Outcomes

Originating in October 2017, the project came to an end in February 2019. It produced 4 oral history videos and 2 research articles available on or from the project website. These materials are being used by local project partner Green Foundation to promote women small farmers’ status and importance in maintaining cultural values, knowledge, and performances crucial to food security, biodiversity, and agricultural resilience. As resources for use in a variety of campaigning and policy-oriented advocacy work, they also provide Green Foundation with wider opportunities for strategic networking with organisations concerned to strengthen the resilience of small farmer agriculture in the face of climate change. Finally, the project has highlighted the benefits of a historically-focused arts and humanities approach to development challenges, particularly in relation to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), and 5 (Gender Equality).

More information

Gateway to Research Portal

Contact

Sandip Hazareesingh

Visit the project's website