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Agroecology and Agrarian Transitions: Current Debate in India

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  • Dinesh Abrol

Abstract

The article critically evaluates the attempt by the Modi government to promote the model of zero-budget natural farming (ZBNF) as an alternate path to agrarian development in India. It is well apparent from the analysis of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) guidelines that the advocates of natural farming have chosen to turn a blind eye to the constraints of Indian agrarian structures in the shift away from selective delinking for food security to global integration, with landlord capitalists and corporate capital in control of the path formation. The cheap nature and cheap labor outlook is built in the input correction emphasis of natural farming and in the assumption of “zero budgets†for the farmer and the government. The ZBNF model will prevent the NMNF from tackling the landscape, structural, and system-level challenges of agrarian transformation. Significant barriers to the adoption of agroecological approaches can be expected to arise due to the lack of commitment to help the peasants and landless proletariat with the protection of the commons and the public investment needed for the promotion of agroecological approaches.

Suggested Citation

  • Dinesh Abrol, 2023. "Agroecology and Agrarian Transitions: Current Debate in India," Agrarian South: Journal of Political Economy, Centre for Agrarian Research and Education for South, vol. 12(2), pages 161-186, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:agspub:v:12:y:2023:i:2:p:161-186
    DOI: 10.1177/22779760231164861
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    1. S. Mahendra Dev, 2012. "Small farmers in India: Challenges and opportunities," Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai Working Papers 2012-014, Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai, India.
    2. S. Mahendra Dev, 2012. "Small Farmers in India: Challenges and Opportunities," Working Papers id:5037, eSocialSciences.
    3. Reddy, B. Guruva & Reddy, V. Ratna & Reddy, M. Srinivasa, 2019. "Potential and Constraints of Zero Budgeted Natural Farming (ZBNF): A Study of Andhra Pradesh," Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics, Indian Society of Agricultural Economics, vol. 74(03), July.
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    1. Dinesh Abrol, 2025. "Rural Industrialization, Drivers and Dynamics: Learning from India’s History," Agrarian South: Journal of Political Economy, Centre for Agrarian Research and Education for South, vol. 14(1), pages 84-108, March.

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