(Section still under construction)
(Section still under construction)
Cultivating Geographies: Indigeneity, Development Planning, and Decoloniality in Malawi’s Agriculture
Cultivating Geographies: Indigeneity, Development Planning, and Decoloniality in Malawi’s Agriculture
My thesis is essentially a story about Indigenous or traditional agricultural knowledges; aiming to bring decolonial literature into conversation with Indigenous knowledge. It is also a story about the ‘peasant’ or ‘smallholder farmer’. Written in the particular context of Anglophone geography; the thesis critically examines the intersection of colonial legacies, agricultural policy, and knowledge systems in Malawi, with a focus on the persistent power dynamics shaping contemporary agricultural practices and education. Utilizing critical discourse analysis (CDA), the study explores how various forms of argument and (de)legitimation strategies are employed by stakeholders—including government bodies, international donors, and local elites—to influence narratives and policies within the agricultural sector. By synthesizing these strategies, the study reveals recurring patterns of subjugation and epistemic violence that marginalize Indigenous knowledge while prioritizing Eurocentric and market-oriented approaches.
My thesis is essentially a story about Indigenous or traditional agricultural knowledges; aiming to bring decolonial literature into conversation with Indigenous knowledge. It is also a story about the ‘peasant’ or ‘smallholder farmer’. Written in the particular context of Anglophone geography; the thesis critically examines the intersection of colonial legacies, agricultural policy, and knowledge systems in Malawi, with a focus on the persistent power dynamics shaping contemporary agricultural practices and education. Utilizing critical discourse analysis (CDA), the study explores how various forms of argument and (de)legitimation strategies are employed by stakeholders—including government bodies, international donors, and local elites—to influence narratives and policies within the agricultural sector. By synthesizing these strategies, the study reveals recurring patterns of subjugation and epistemic violence that marginalize Indigenous knowledge while prioritizing Eurocentric and market-oriented approaches.
Grounded in extensive qualitative fieldwork, including interviews with smallholder farmers in Mchinji and Lilongwe districts, government officials, and academics, as well as an analysis of policy documents, macroeconomic data, historical records, and educational frameworks, the research synthesizes diverse discourse styles and genres to illuminate how power and knowledge intersect to maintain the status quo. The thesis demonstrates how these dynamics manifest in specific policies and everyday farming practices, thereby perpetuating inequities in agricultural development.
Grounded in extensive qualitative fieldwork, including interviews with smallholder farmers in Mchinji and Lilongwe districts, government officials, and academics, as well as an analysis of policy documents, macroeconomic data, historical records, and educational frameworks, the research synthesizes diverse discourse styles and genres to illuminate how power and knowledge intersect to maintain the status quo. The thesis demonstrates how these dynamics manifest in specific policies and everyday farming practices, thereby perpetuating inequities in agricultural development.
The thesis ultimately argues that meaningful decolonial approaches to agricultural development must prioritize epistemic justice by more deeply integrating local knowledge systems into policy frameworks. The synthesis of argument forms, coupled with the identification of (de)legitimation strategies, underscores the need for a balanced approach that recognizes both ‘modern’ technologies and traditional knowledge. The study concludes that without this integration, efforts to advance agricultural development in Malawi will remain compromised by existing power structures.
The thesis ultimately argues that meaningful decolonial approaches to agricultural development must prioritize epistemic justice by more deeply integrating local knowledge systems into policy frameworks. The synthesis of argument forms, coupled with the identification of (de)legitimation strategies, underscores the need for a balanced approach that recognizes both ‘modern’ technologies and traditional knowledge. The study concludes that without this integration, efforts to advance agricultural development in Malawi will remain compromised by existing power structures.
10th September 2024
10th September 2024
A collection of photos from my research journey:
A collection of photos from my research journey:
This is my PhD research project.
This is my PhD research project.