5th International Writeshop in Critical Agrarian Studies & Scholar-Activism Report

By Muhammad Arfan, CASAS’ member

The 5th International Writeshop in Critical Agrarian Studies & Scholar-Activism took place from July 27 to August 8, 2024, in Beijing, China. This event was a collaborative effort by various institutions, including the Journal of Peasant Studies, China Agricultural University’s College of Humanities and Development Studies (COHD), Beijing Innovation Center for Rural Revitalization and Integrated Rural-Urban Development (BIC-RRID), PLAAS from the University of the Western Cape, the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) at Erasmus University Rotterdam, Initiatives in Critical Agrarian Studies (ICAS), Collective of Agrarian Scholar-Activists from/in the South (CASAS), and the International Institute of Critical Agrarian Studies (IICAS).

The writeshop featured several activities and thematic discussions aimed at exploring various dimensions of agrarian studies and scholar-activism. Participants were engaged in a guided tour of the Beijing Farmers’ Market, also known as the Country Fair, where they observed sustainable agricultural practices and market dynamics. They also visited Wumart, a major supermarket chain, to gain insights into consumer behavior and the retail environment. An exploration of sustainable food systems in chain hotels provided a broader perspective on food sustainability in urban settings.

Thematic talks covered diverse topics, such as food security in China, presented by Professor Bingsheng Ke, former president of China Agricultural University. Other talks included “The Left and Left-behind: Labor Migration and Agrarian Change in China” by Professor Huifang Wu, “Embedding the Poor in the Rural Industrial System” by Professor Lu Pan, and “Myanmar Labor Migration into Rural China” by Professor Xiaobo Hua. Professor Juan Liu discussed global environmental conflicts through the lens of the EJAtlas, while Professor Jingzhong Ye provided a comprehensive overview of China’s agrarian transformation from 1949 to the present.

Discussions also delved into various theoretical approaches in critical agrarian studies, including Marxist agrarian political economy, moral economy, agrarian populism, institutional and new institutional economics, sustainable rural livelihood approaches, and feminist perspectives. These academically enrich sessions facilitated and delivered by Professor Shapan Adnan, Professor Ruth Hall and Professor Jun Borras. The event culminated with a panel on scholar-activism, featuring contributions from members of CASAS, including scholars from Indonesia (Bosman), Latin America (Grettle Nevas), China (Yan Hairong) and Africa (Boa), who shared their experiences and perspectives on agrarian struggles and activism.

The key session focused on the CASAS input on movement building and collaborative work, facilitated by CASAS representatives Grettle Nevas, Sane Zuka, Itayosara Rojas, and Muhammad Arfan. Muhammad Arfan provided an overview of CASAS’s core organizational ideas, highlighting past and ongoing initiatives, the thematic working groups, and the internal organizational governance structure of CASAS. This session also included group discussions centered on several critical questions. Participants explored the types of land or political struggles they research and those in which they are actively involved. Another topic of discussion was the challenges faced regarding objectivity, impartiality, and rigor while participating in these political struggles. The ethical responsibilities arising from both researching and engaging in land or political struggles were also debated, with participants sharing how they address these ethical considerations.

Finally, the session examined how involvement in a movement and the process of movement building, such as those facilitated by CASAS, can help navigate the complexities and challenges associated with activist research and engagement. This discussion aimed to foster a deeper understanding of the role of scholar-activists in shaping and supporting agrarian and political movements globally.

The writeshop provided a platform for deepening scholarly collaboration, exchanging ideas, and fostering a global network of scholar-activists dedicated to critical agrarian studies and rural development.

The writeshop was divided into two parts. The first part took place in Sanggang village, where participants were hosted by local peasants. During this time, participants had the opportunity to live in the homes of the villagers, immersing themselves in the local culture by enjoying traditional foods, music, and customs.

The second part of the writeshop was held at the College of Humanities and Development Studies (COHD) in Beijing. Throughout both parts of the writeshop, an outstanding team of volunteers, led by Professor Chunyu Wang, provided guidance and support to the international participants, ensuring a smooth and enriching experience during their stay in both Sanggang village and COHD Beijing.

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