A waste of time? Increasing on-farm labor through an agroecological transition in Malawi
a lecture on June 6, 2024 – 12h30
ISARA is pleased to announce that Sidney MADSEN from Cornell University, USA, will deliver a lecture on the socio-ecological dynamics of agroecology
« Although there is robust evidence of the ecological benefits of agroecology, questions remain about its socio-economic implications. I work to address this gap through mixed-methods participatory research on the labor dynamics of agroecology in Malawi. In my first paper of my dissertation, I explore how agroecology’s labor-intensive practices articulate with the trend of increasing rural livelihood diversification. I find that, instead of exacerbating labor deficits in smallholder households, agroecological farming improved land and labor productivity by facilitating household transitions from low-return informal employment to on-farm work.»
Sidney MADSEN is well-acquainted with Isara, having participated as a guest student in the Master Agroecology program in 2019. Between 2020 and 2022, she led and conducted research in collaboration with master’s students as part of a European project coordinated by A. Wezel. This research enabled an in-depth study of agroecology and food security documentation across 15 African countries, focusing on socio-economic and environmental impacts.
Holding a Ph.D. in Development Sociology and Global Development, Sidney Madsen will join the ISARA research team to continue analyzing data on food security in Africa, while also examining the socio-economic performance indicators of agroecology.
Students, faculty, and all interested parties are invited to attend this insightful and impactful session. Sidney Madsen’s work is expected to inspire enriching discussions, and her participation is highly anticipated.
