Focusing on the sociology of farming, this book offers an in-depth exploration of its key concepts and methodologies. It examines the social dynamics, cultural practices, and economic factors that shape agricultural communities. Readers will gain insights into the interactions between farming practices and societal structures, making it an essential resource for understanding the complexities of rural life and agriculture's role in society.
Peasants and the Art of Farming: A Chayanovian Manifesto focuses on the structure and dynamics of peasant farms and the historically highly variable relations that govern the processes of labour and production within peasant farms. Jan Douwe van der Ploeg argues that peasant agriculture can play an important, if not central, role in augmenting food production and creating sustainability. However, peasants today, as in the past, are materially neglected. By building on the pioneering work of Chayanov, this book seeks to address this neglect and to show how important peasants are in the ongoing struggles for food, food sustainability and food sovereignty. Full Text - Short description/annotation (Text)
The author demonstrates that the peasantries are far from waning.
A New Paradigm of Territorial Development?
The book examines the dynamics between agricultural and food models through four key dimensions of territorial development: the balance between specialization and diversification, the role of innovation, the process of adaptation, and the concept of food transition. It explores how these factors influence coexistence and conflict within agricultural practices, providing insights into sustainable development in the food sector.