PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture is a research program that deals with critically examining the global trend of treating food and farming as mere commodities. This PhD program moves one step forward from conventional agricultural economics while focusing on creating sustainable, people-centered and ecologically balanced systems of production and distribution. The program focuses on challenging the market driven models which prioritize profits over farmer’s rights, food sovereignty and environmental well-being.
This PhD course helps a researcher in gaining knowledge over issues like farmer’s livelihood, land rights, climate resilience and much more which can reduce over dependence on global commodity markets. With the help of interdisciplinary research, an individual can analyze how agriculture can transform into an equitable system wherein one values human welfare, biodiversity, and local food security over their commercial exploitation.
PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture requires an individual to be research oriented as it combines theories with fieldwork and policy analysis. This article goes in detail about PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture and talks about the eligibility, Phd admission process, specialization and research trends.
Table Of Content
🔷 PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture: Overview
🔷 What is a PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture?
🔷 PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture: Eligibility Criteria
🔷 Specializations in PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture
🔷 Research Trends in PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture
🔷 Career Scope and Salary in India
🔷 Conclusion
🔷 Frequently Asked Questions
PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture: Overview
| Course Name | PhD in De – Commodifying Agriculture |
|---|---|
| Course Level | Doctorate |
| Course Duration | 3 – 5 years, depending on the university and research work |
| Admission Eligibility | Master’s degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Environmental Studies or related fields with an aggregate of 55% or more from a recognized university. Along with that, an individual must appear in entrance exams. |
| Course Fee | INR 50,000 – 3 lakhs |
| Top Institutes | JNU, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), BHU, University of Hyderabad, etc. |
| Salary | INR 6 – 15 LPA |
| Job Positions | Agricultural Policy Analyst, Sustainable Agriculture Consultant, Developmental Sector Researcher, Rural Development Officer, Lecturer, and much more. |
| Entrance Exams | UGC NET, ICAR AICE – JRF, CSIR NET, and university specific entrances. |
| Recruiting Sectors | Universities and Institutes, Government Policy Think Tanks, Agrarian Movements & Cooperative, NGOs and much more. |
What is a PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture?
PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture refers to the process of shifting agriculture from its treatment as a market commodity to re-centering it on social, ecological and cultural values. In the traditional system, food and crops are valued for their price in the market, often ignoring farmer rights, community well-being and sustainability.
De-Commodification particularly looks out for prioritizing food sovereignty, fair-farmer income and environmental well-being over the profit driven model. The course duration of this program is 3 – 5 years. The course focuses on reaffirming the people and creating awareness in how agriculture is not just an economic identity but something that is a livelihood of someone.
PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture: Eligibility Criteria
Knowing the eligibility criteria for PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture is important as it will help an individual further in preparing for the admissions. Mentioned below are some of the important and common PhD eligibility criteria which are followed.
1.A candidate should have completed a master’s degree in agriculture, agricultural economics, regular development, sociology, environmental studies, development studies and related fields with an aggregate of 55% or above from a recognized university.
2. The candidate must appear in the PhD entrance exam like UGC NET, CSIR NET, ICAR AICE JRF and other university-based exams.
3. Candidates should submit their research proposal which should be aligned with themes like sustainable farming, food sovereignty, agroecology, or agricultural policy. A research proposal is presented in the interview.
Specializations in PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture
With a PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture, an individual is free to choose their specialization. One should, in fact, choose the specialization that they feel comfortable working in as the extensive research work and coursework is only manageable when it suits your interests.
Mentioned below are some of the specializations for PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture.
1.Agrarian Political Economy: This specialization deals with the study of global and local market forces, land ownership and much more to work on the inequalities. The specialization focuses on how de-commodifying can counter inequalities that are spread by the capitalist models of farming, i.e., investors.
2. Climate Change and Resilient Agriculture: Researchers in this field of study focus on how climate change affects the growth of the crops and help in developing successful adaptation strategies. The focus with this specialization is to reduce the vulnerabilities of small farmers with the help of climate smart practices and community resilience planning.
3. Rural Cooperatives and Community Farming: Rural Cooperatives and Community Farming emphasize more on farming models, cooperatives structures, and farmer-led organizations. Researchers who pursue this specialization focus more on identifying sustainable alternatives to exploitative commodity marketing and ensuring fair prices.
Some of the other specializations include agroecology & sustainable farming, food sovereignty & policy change, development and NGO engagement.
Research Trends in PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture
A PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture explores transforming conventional and market-driven farming into equitable, sustainable and community focused systems which emphasize food sovereignty, farmer empowerment, ecological balance and much more. Mentioned below are some of the key research areas that can help an individual in their PhD thesis.
1.Intersection of Technology and De-Commodification: Some of the emerging research is being down to find a solution to low-cost technology, open-source platforms and digital tools which can help in strengthening local food networks without forcing commodification. PhD researchers can help in creating scalable tools that enhance productivity while maintaining ecological and social goals.
2. Policy and Governance for Sustainable Agriculture: The current research on this topic focuses on examining national policies, trade regulations and land reform initiatives. Researchers can help in shaping evidence-based policies which promote non-market-based agriculture and help in reducing the exploitation of farmers.
3. Agroecology and Regenerative Practices: Some of the current research trends on this topic includes sustainable farming techniques, crop diversification, permaculture and much more. The current researchers pursuing a PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture can focus on developing frameworks to reduce dependence on chemical inputs and improve local food security.
PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture: Career Scope and Salary in India
Completing a PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture course can help an individual in landing at various career opportunities. PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture is one of the fastest emerging courses which help in benefiting the farmers and in raising their awareness. Mentioned below are the career opportunities with a PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture.
| Job Position | Description | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Policy Analyst | An Agricultural Policy Analyst researches, analyzes, and provides recommendations on agricultural and food policies, including trade, market performance and sustainability. | INR 6 – 12 LPA |
| Sustainable Agriculture Consultant | Sustainable Agriculture Consultant advises farmers and organizations on environmentally sound, economically viable and socially responsible farming practices to ensure long term productivity. | INR 7 – 15 LPA |
| Academic Researcher | The work of an Academic Researcher is to teach and supervise PhD and master’s students to help them in conducting research in universities and institutions. | INR 8 – 20 LPA |
| Agrarian Studies Researcher | An Agrarian Studies Researcher helps in conducting research relating to agriculture, and diving deeper into the fields like crop production, soil health, and animal husbandry to improve efficiency and sustainability. | INR 5 – 12 LPA |
| Policy Advocate | The job of Policy Advocate involves researching and analyzing policy issues, developing advocacy strategies and other key stakeholders to influence public policy for a specific cause. | INR 7 – 15 LPA |
Conclusion
PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture is a doctoral degree which deals with the process of shifting agriculture from its treatment as a market commodity to trying to re-center it in terms of social, ecological and cultural values. This PhD course is helpful for individuals who are interested in bringing out new knowledge and want to truly change the structure of how agriculture is treated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time duration of PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture?
The time duration of PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture is 3-5 years, depending on the university and research work.
In this PhD course of De-Commodifying Agriculture, does an individual work for the benefit of the farmers?
Yes, in the PhD course of De-Commodifying Agriculture, an individual works for the benefit of the farmers, rural communities and local ecosystem by focusing on policies and practices for empowering farmers, promoting sustainable livelihoods, environmental and climate resilience and much more. They ensure that the research and work can directly contribute to the farmer’s life.
Can a PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture be done without having a master’s degree?
Pursuing a PhD in De-Commodifying Agriculture is done without having a master’s degree only if the individual has completed their bachelor’s in 4 years under NEP 2020 with an exceptional score. But other than that, an individual cannot do a PhD without a master’s degree.
What are some of the recruiting sectors in PhD course of De-Commodifying Agriculture?
Some of the recruiting sectors in PhD course of De-Commodifying Agriculture include universities and institutes, government policy think tanks, NGOs and much more.
What are some of the job opportunities in PhD course of De-Commodifying Agriculture?
Some of the job opportunities in PhD course of De-Commodifying Agriculture include Policy Advocate, Sustainable Agriculture Specialist, INGO Specialist, Sustainable Food Systems Analyst and much more.
