Becoming Organic: Nature and Agriculture in the Indian Himalaya

Shaila Seshia Galvin's Becoming Organic delves into the social and bureaucratic aspects of certified organic agriculture in India's central Himalayas, challenging assumptions about what organic means and revealing how it is produced through discursive, regulatory, and affective registers.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 02 July 2021
Publisher: Yale University Press

Shaila Seshia Galvin's groundbreaking study delves into the intricate social and bureaucratic realm of organic quality, challenging prevailing notions about what it truly signifies. Through her in-depth exploration of certified organic agriculture in India's central Himalayas, Galvin unveils the complex nature of the organic concept, revealing that it is more a product of discursive, regulatory, and affective processes than a mere material attribute of land or its produce.

In Becoming Organic, Galvin offers a nuanced and insightful account of development practice in rural India, tracing its evolution through intricate relationships forged between state authorities, private corporations, and emerging agrarian intermediaries. This book sheds light on the complex dynamics and power struggles that shape the transition towards organic agriculture, highlighting the role of government policies, corporate interests, and local communities in shaping this transformative process.

Galvin's research reveals that organic agriculture in the central Himalayas is not merely a matter of adopting sustainable farming practices but also involves a profound transformation of social and economic structures. She explores how the certification process, driven by international standards and regulations, intersects with local customs, knowledge systems, and power dynamics, leading to the creation of new forms of authority and control.

Through her detailed case studies and rich ethnographic analysis, Galvin demonstrates how organic agriculture serves as a catalyst for social and economic change, offering opportunities for marginalized communities to assert their rights and gain access to resources. She also highlights the challenges and limitations faced by organic farmers, including the need for sustainable livelihoods, the lack of market infrastructure, and the pressures of globalization.

In conclusion, Becoming Organic is a vital contribution to the study of development, agriculture, and the politics of food. Galvin's meticulous research and compelling storytelling shed light on the complex and multifaceted nature of organic quality, challenging our assumptions and prompting us to reevaluate our relationship with food, agriculture, and the environment. This book is a must-read for scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of rural development and the role of organic agriculture in shaping our world.

Weight: 488g
Dimension: 147 x 222 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300215014