Taking agroecology to scale: the Zero Budget Natural Farming peasant movement in Karnataka, India. Issue 1 (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khadse, Ashlesha; Rosset, Peter Michael; Morales, Helda; Ferguson, Bruce G.
• Is Part Of: Journal of peasant studies. Volume 45:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 192
• Page End: 219
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: agroecology -- KRRS -- La Via Campesina -- scaling-up agroecology -- Subhash Palekar -- Zero Budget Natural Farming; Peasantry -- Periodicals; Sociology, Rural -- Periodicals; Rural development -- Periodicals; 305.563305
• DOI: 10.1080/03066150.2016.1276450
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-6150

Abstract

Abstract : This paper analyzes how peasant movements scale up agroecology. It specifically examines Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), a grassroots peasant agroecology movement in Karnataka, India. ZBNF ends reliance on purchased inputs and loans for farming, positioning itself as a solution to extreme indebtedness and suicides among Indian farmers. The ZBNF movement has achieved massive scale not only because of effective farming practices, but because of a social movement dynamic – motivating members through discourse, mobilizing resources from allies, self-organized pedagogical activities, charismatic and local leadership, and generating a spirit of volunteerism among its members. This paper was produced as part of a self-study process in La Via Campesina, the global peasant movement.