A Study of the Sustainability Challenges of Traditional Farmers in Kerala

P.P. Sajimon and V.B. Hans

Chapter 4 in Between Economy and Ecology:Policies and Practices of Sustainable Development, 2026, pp 71-93 from World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.

Abstract: Traditional farming in Kerala dates back to ancient times, rooted in the practices of indigenous communities who relied on subsistence agriculture tailored to local agroecological conditions and traditional knowledge. Over centuries, farmers in Kerala have evolved unique and sustainable agricultural systems suited to the region’s tropical climate, varied topography, and abundant rainfall. These practices embody the principles of sustainability, offering valuable lessons for developing resilient agricultural systems for the future. Sustainable agriculture in Kerala acknowledges the interconnectedness of human activities and natural systems, promoting a holistic approach that balances ecological, economic, and social factors. Currently, traditional farming in Kerala is confronted by numerous challenges. On a broader scale, these include socioeconomic changes, demographic shifts, climate change, and evolving land use patterns. On a more local level, farmers grapple with water scarcity, soil degradation, wild animal attacks, debt, and limited market access. These challenges jeopardise the sustainability of traditional farming, posing risks to food security, rural livelihoods, and environmental health. This study, using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, examines the sustainability issues faced by traditional farmers in Kerala’s Kannur district. The findings aim at deepening the understanding of sustainability issues and offer insights for developing effective strategies for tackling these challenges.

Keywords: Sustainable Development; Sustainable Agriculture; Feminisation of Agriculture; Sustainable Development Practices; Sustainable Urban Development; Ecology; Himalayan Glaciers; Women and Sustainable Development; Coastal Areas and Sutainability; Railway Development and Sustainability; Ecological justice; Developing Countries; India; South India; Kerala (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q01 Q15 Q54 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/pdf/10.1142/9789819820221_0004 (application/pdf)
https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/9789819820221_0004 (text/html)
Ebook Access is available upon purchase.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wsi:wschap:9789819820221_0004

Ordering information: This item can be ordered from

Access Statistics for this chapter

More chapters in World Scientific Book Chapters from World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Tai Tone Lim ().