Organic Agriculture as a Sustainable Livelihood Strategy

82 Pages·2013·1.14 MB·English

by  Stephanie Austin

Organic Agriculture as a Sustainable Livelihood Strategy:
Understand catalysts and barriers to adoption in southern India

by

Stephanie Elizabeth Austin

A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of B.A. Joint
Honours in Geography and International Development Studies

Departments of Geography and International Development Studies
McGill University
Montreal (Quebec) Canada

April 2013

©Stephanie Elizabeth Austin
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First, I would like to thank my co-supervisors, Professors Sarah Turner and Navin Ramankutty,
for their guidance, support and insights throughout the last year.

To Verena Seufert I give my sincere thanks for her mentorship and organic expertise in each
stage of this research, and for welcoming me to this project. Without her this research would not
exist.

Thanks to my family and friends who supported me in my ambitions of researching livelihoods
in South Asia and who graciously edited chapters of this thesis.

My fellow honours geography students of 2012-2013 – thank you for your cheerful company
during late nights in the GIC.

My appreciation goes to my interpreter, Bharathi Kannan, for his enthusiasm and hard-work
during our field research.

Most of all, to the key informants and farmers of Tamil Nadu who provided me with their time
and insights that form this thesis – romba nandri!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................... iv
LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................................... v
LIST OF ACRONYMS ................................................................................................................. vi
ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................. vii
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Organic Agriculture and the Green Revolution in India ....................................................... 1
1.2 Research Aim and Questions ................................................................................................ 2
1.3 Support for Organic Agriculture in India and Tamil Nadu ................................................... 3
1.3.1 Origins of the Indian Organic Movement....................................................................... 4
1.3.2 Organic Community in Tamil Nadu ............................................................................... 4
1.4 Kanchipuram District Context .............................................................................................. 5
1.4.1 Physical and Political Geography ................................................................................... 5
1.4.2 Demography ................................................................................................................... 5
1.4.3 Agricultural Situation ..................................................................................................... 6
1.5 Thesis Structure ..................................................................................................................... 7
CHAPTER 2: CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK ............................................................................ 8
2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 8
2.2 Sustainable Livelihoods ........................................................................................................ 8
2.2.1 Overview and Definition ................................................................................................ 9
2.2.2 Sustainable Livelihoods Framework .............................................................................. 9
2.2.3 Need for Sustainable Livelihoods Approach and Criticisms........................................ 11
2.2.4 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 12
2.3 Organic Agriculture Literature ............................................................................................ 12
2.3.1 Definitions of Organic Agriculture............................................................................... 12
2.3.2 Environmental Considerations ..................................................................................... 14
2.3.3 Health Considerations................................................................................................... 14
2.3.4 Food Security and Yields with Organic Agriculture .................................................... 15
2.3.5 Livelihood Considerations ............................................................................................ 16
2.3.6 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 17
2.4 Conceptual Framework Conclusions .................................................................................. 17
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CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................ 19
3.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 19
3.2 Research Design and Fieldwork Methods ........................................................................... 19
3.2.1 Semi-Structured Interviews .......................................................................................... 19
3.2.2 Participant Recruitment and Sampling ......................................................................... 20
3.3 Analysis ............................................................................................................................... 21
3.4 Positionality and Ethical Considerations............................................................................. 22
3.5 Limitations .......................................................................................................................... 23
3.6 Methods Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 24
CHAPTER 4: FARMERS’ PERSPECTIVES ON ORGANIC AGRICULTURE ....................... 25
4.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 25
4.2 History of Organic Agriculture in Tamil Nadu ................................................................... 25
4.3 Defining organic agriculture ............................................................................................... 26
4.3.1 Farmer Definitions ........................................................................................................ 26
4.3.2 Indigenous and Traditional ........................................................................................... 28
4.4 Goals of organic agriculture ................................................................................................ 28
4.5 The Indian Indigenous Cow in Organic Agriculture ........................................................... 29
4.6 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................... 31
CHAPTER 5: WHO ADOPTS ORGANIC AGRICULTURE AND WHY ................................ 32
5.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 32
5.2 Characteristics of Adopters ................................................................................................. 32
5.3 Spread of Knowledge .......................................................................................................... 34
5.3.1 Farmer-to-Farmer Knowledge Transfers ...................................................................... 34
5.3.2 Knowledge Transfers from Organic Agriculture Experts ............................................ 35
5.3.3 Village Meetings and Extension Organizations ........................................................... 35
5.3.4 Older Generations and Traditional Knowledge ............................................................ 36
5.3.5 Role of Publications and Technology ........................................................................... 36
5.4 Catalysts for Adoption of Organic Agriculture ................................................................... 37
5.4.1 Economic Catalysts ...................................................................................................... 38
5.4.2 Emotional Benefits and Social Service ........................................................................ 38
5.4.3 Environmental and Health Benefits .............................................................................. 39
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5.5. Barriers to Adoption ........................................................................................................... 40
5.5.1 Labour Barriers ............................................................................................................. 40
5.5.2 Economic Barriers ........................................................................................................ 40
5.5.3 Acquiring Organic Inputs ............................................................................................. 42
5.5.4 Mental Barriers ............................................................................................................. 43
5.6 Criteria for success .............................................................................................................. 44
5.6.1 Marketing...................................................................................................................... 44
5.6.2 Certification .................................................................................................................. 45
5.6.3 Support and Farmer Networks ...................................................................................... 47
5.7 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................... 48
CHAPTER 6: ORGANIC AGRICULTURE FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS ............... 50
6.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 50
6.2 Asset Pentagon .................................................................................................................... 50
6.2.1 Natural Capital .............................................................................................................. 51
6.2.2 Financial Capital ........................................................................................................... 52
6.2.3 Physical Capital ............................................................................................................ 53
6.2.4 Human Capital .............................................................................................................. 54
6.2.5 Social Capital ................................................................................................................ 54
6.3 Transforming structures and processes ............................................................................... 56
6.4 Vulnerability context ........................................................................................................... 58
6.5 Limitations of the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework ..................................................... 59
6.6 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................... 60
CHAPTER 7: CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................... 62
WORKS CITED ........................................................................................................................... 65
Appendix A: Organic Farmer Basic Information ......................................................................... 69
Appendix B: Conventional Farmer Basic Information ................................................................. 69
Appendix C: Interview Sampling Web ......................................................................................... 70
Appendix D: McGill University Research Ethics Approval......................................................... 71
Appendix E: Farmers’ Definitions of Organic Agriculture .......................................................... 72
Appendix F: Farmers’ Income, Employment and Caste Statistics ............................................... 73

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1.1: Location of Kanchipuram district and Tamil Nadu state within India.
Figure 2.1: Conceptual Framework
Figure 2.2: Sustainable Livelihoods Framework
Figure 3.1: Interviewing two Tamil farmers.
Figure 6.1: Asset pentagon for households before and after adoption of organic agriculture

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LIST OF TABLES

Table 5.1: Household and Farmer Statistics

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LIST OF ACRONYMS

ARISE – Agriculture Renewal in India for a Sustainable Environment
CAD – Canadian Dollars
DOA – Department of Agriculture (Tamil Nadu)
FOA – Foundation for Organic Agriculture
IFOAM – International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements
HDI – Human Development Index
HYVs – High Yielding Varieties
INPOP – Indian National Program for Organic Production
KVK – Krishi Vigyan Kendras
MNC(s) – Multinational Corporation(s)
NADP – National Agriculture Development Programme
NAF – National Agro Foundation
NGO – Non-Governmental Organization
NREG – National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme
OFAI – Organic Farmers’ Association of India
PGS – Participatory Guarantee System
TANUVAS – Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Science University
TNAU – Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
TNOF – Tamil Nadu Organic Farming Federation
USDA – United States Department of Agriculture

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ABSTRACT

Organic agriculture is often presented as a type of sustainable agriculture and development that
can address some of the negative externalities of the Green Revolution (Ramesh, Singh, & Subba
Rao, 2005). While the academic literature is divided on the potential for organic to contribute to
food security (Badgley et al., 2005; Seufert, Ramankutty, & Foley, 2012), there is consensus on
the potential for organic agriculture to improve producers’ health and reduce farmer poverty
(Bakewell-Stone, Lieblein, & Francis, 2008; Ramesh et al., 2005). The primary aim of this
research is to understand why farmers in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu state, southern
India may or may not decide to adopt organic agriculture, and the impacts on household
livelihoods if they decide to do so. This thesis is informed by semi-structured interviews with
farmers and key informants conducted in Kanchipuram district in 2012. The sustainable
livelihoods framework is used to analyze the potential for organic agriculture to contribute to a
sustainable livelihood for farmers in Kanchipuram district.

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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Organic Agriculture and the Green Revolution in India
After Independence in 1947 until the Green Revolution was implemented in 1965, India
experienced severe droughts and a decline in agricultural production (Parayil, 1992). During this
time India became heavily dependent on subsidized food imports to address the rising food
insecurity of its rapidly growing population (ibid). The Green Revolution in India was designed
to increase food production, and thereby make India self-sufficient in food supply. This
agricultural production method was implemented through the transfer and diffusion of the
following package of technologies to rural farmers: mechanization, improved irrigation facilities,
and the use of high-yielding seed varieties, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides (Parayil, 1992;
Wharton, 1969). Though India succeeded in becoming food independent using these new
technologies, the Green Revolution increased disparities between farmers. Moreover,
productivity has now plateaued, and in some cases declined, largely due to depleted soil fertility
(Conway & Barbier, 1988; Ramesh et al., 2005). Health consequences are still being felt where
the Green Revolution was most heavily implemented. For example, the Punjab region was
known as the “breadbasket of India,” but is now experiencing increasing incidences of cancer
cases, reproductive health issues and mental health issues – commonly thought to be caused by
the Green Revolution (Kaura & Sinhaa, 2011).
In the approximately 20 years since the state-led active endorsement of the Green
Revolution ended, many scholars and activists have begun promoting organic agriculture as a
sustainable form of development and agriculture. Organic agriculture can rectify negative
externalities associated with the Green Revolution. For example it can improve farmers’ health
and livelihoods, while supporting the environment (Ramesh et al., 2005). Furthermore, the
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