Chained by Food: Marginalized Voices from Peri-Urban India

This book provides an integrated picture of issues related to poverty, agriculture, urbanization, food safety and food security in the peri-urban India. Based on field research undertaken in the peri-urban belts of two Indian states—Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, it presents the perspectives of the farmers, both as producers and consumers on the role of agriculture, food production and consumption practices, quality of life and the effectiveness of the existing support networks available to them. Using field studies of direct relevance to development practitioners, agencies, NGOs, environmentalists, policy-makers and researchers, it captures the views of key social stakeholders to provide the most comprehensive and balanced analysis of a key peri-urban issue facing India today. The findings highlight the pivotal role peri-urban agriculture plays in societal and cultural issues such as gender roles, health and food safety as well as the traditional concepts of livelihoods, employment and income.