Farmers, Subalterns, and Activists

In theory, chemical-free sustainable agriculture not only has ecological benefits, but also social and economic benefits for rural communities. By removing farmers' expenses on chemical inputs, it provides them with greater autonomy and challenges the status quo, where corporations dominate food systems. In practice, however, organisations promoting sustainable agriculture often maintain connections with powerful institutions and individuals, who have vested interests in maintaining the status quo. This book explores this tension within the sustainable farming movement through reference to three detailed case studies of organisations operating in rural India.

• Develops a unique Gramscian theoretical perspective on the history of rural development in India
• Engages in global debates on food sovereignty and agroecology, challenging dominant narratives
• Provides in-depth empirical data on social and political aspects of sustainable farming organisations in India