The potential of Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) in the agricultural sector lies in designing people-centric and planet-sensitive approaches that recognize the multifunctional nature of agriculture in producing not only commodities, but also non-commodity outputs such as environmental services, landscape amenities and cultural heritage, and social services. Applying SSE approaches in agriculture is considered a response to intensive farming, which deviates significantly from the traditional nature-based social contract. In this context, an intervention of social enterprises in shaping eco-social agriculture can enable smallholders to restore their earlier contracts with nature. This study contributes to the existing literature by addressing a lack of empirical research on social farming experiences in the global South and the role of social enterprises in facilitating eco-social agricultural initiatives. This study presents empirical research on the role of ONganic Foods—a social enterprise that has developed a strong relationship with smallholder organic producer groups in the Nadia district of West Bengal—in supporting eco-social agriculture. A progressive alliance between the local organic smallholder group, ONganic and the state supported the integration of local smallholders in eco-social transformation processes. The evidence presented in the paper shows that eco-social agriculture can contribute to fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level.
Suggested citation
Laha, Arindam, Nilojyoti Koner and Santanu Kumar Ghosh. (2024). Assessing the Role of Social Enterprises in Shaping Eco-Social Agriculture: Evidence from Smallholder Organic Growers in West Bengal (India). Working paper 2024-05. Geneva: United Nations Research Institute for Social Development.