Refusal as Radical Care? Moving Beyond Modern Industrial Agriculture

Abstract

In this contribution we approach the refusal of modern industrial agriculture, as an act of radical care. We begin by recognizing the unprecedented crises of biodiversity losses and climate disruptions, amidst widespread inequality in a global pandemic, which are linked with modern agricultural development. This development is underpinned by the objectification of ‘nature’ that is designed into strategies and technologies of extraction and control like chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, hybrid seeds, genetic engineering and digitalization. Refusal of strategies and technologies of modern objectification, we argue, is an act of radical care that is geared towards nurturing alternatives grounded in the Earth’s pluriverse.

Enabling modernisation, marginalising alternatives? Kenya's agricultural policy and smallholders

“…Unfortunately however, together with the Kenyan government's agricultural policy since the colonial era, powerful transnational arrangements such as AGRA continue to privilege modernisation by repeating the mantra of inputs like ‘improved seeds’ (also using genetic engineering and new genome editing techniques), precision agriculture based in digital technologies and synthetic fertilisers (Acosta et al, 2019; Wise, 2021). As these new technologies are glorified for sustainability, their possible adverse effects are marginalised (Arora & van Dyck, 2021). In general, national policies and powerful alliances have thus far failed to promote and support alternative directions for sustainable development beyond modernisation.…”

“…To address these complex challenges, it may be necessary to move beyond technologies and markets of modern industrial agriculture (Arora & van Dyck, 2021), to support smallholder-led practices and techniques grounded in diverse agroecological knowledges and contexts. To this end, rather than reducing the ongoing devolution in Kenya to instrumental participation by farmers (including smallholders), in which the practice of participatory exercises is driven by modernisation agendas of national policymakers and transnational agencies, devolution must be used as an opportunity to transform development.…”

Becoming agroecologists: A pedagogical model to support graduate student learning and practice

“…At its core, relational centering understands that knowledge is inseparable from the relational context in which it is held or from which it emerges-an idea that is grounded in feminist and Indigenous epistemologies (Wilson, 2009;Arora and Van Dyck, 2021). In previous sections, we discussed the importance of relationships to self in critical inquiry and relationships with others in participatory practice, both of which are supported through cohorts that provide space for collective dialogue and hold longterm relationships.…”