Bio-rolnictwo jako metoda nauczania przetrwania. Kształcenie zawodowe w Radżastanie w epoce antropocenu a problem roślino-ślepoty

Beata Pietkiewicz-Pareek; Farnaz Tajik

doi:10.21697/fp.2026.1.7

Published: 2026-08-28

Vol. 16 No. 1 (2026)

Bio-Farming as a Teaching Method for Survival: Vocational Training in Rajasthan During the Anthropocene Era and Addressing Plant Blindness

Beata Pietkiewicz-Pareek , Farnaz Tajik

Pedagogical Forum

Section: Topic

https://doi.org/10.21697/fp.2026.1.7

Abstract

This article discusses organic farming initiatives in Rajasthan, mainly carried out by groups such as Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), as a local response to the challenges of the Anthropocene, including biodiversity loss, soil degradation, desertification, and climate unpredictability. In addition, certain social problems have intensified, such as health risks, debt, and financial dependence. This has forced farmers to abandon agriculture and move to cities in search of livelihoods. The article focuses on two issues. In the first part of the article, we present the theory of the Anthropocene and plant blindness in the Indian context. In the second part, we attempt to show how important educational institutions are for the Indian community in order to recreate its agricultural traditions through organic farming classes such as JSS.
The aim of the article is to familiarize the reader with the process of utilizing farmers’ indigenous knowledge of various biological resources from a pedagogical perspective. This study is based on extensive ethnographic research conducted in India between 2012 and 2024, focusing on educational initiatives related to agriculture.

Keywords:

India, Anthropocene, plant blindness, bio-farming, SDG 4

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Pietkiewicz-Pareek, B., & Tajik, F. (2026). Bio-Farming as a Teaching Method for Survival: Vocational Training in Rajasthan During the Anthropocene Era and Addressing Plant Blindness. Pedagogical Forum, 16(1), 69–78. https://doi.org/10.21697/fp.2026.1.7

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Beata Pietkiewicz-Pareek

beatapietkiewicz@gmail.com

Affiliation:

a:1:{s:5:"pl_PL";s:23:"Uniwersytet Wrocławski";} Poland

Farnaz Tajik

Affiliation:

Michigan State University United States