Field Reflections from Kerala, India [15.10.25]
Our postdoctoral researcher Bowy den Braber from the BRIGHT-Futures project recently returned from a scoping trip to Kerala, India.
Below, he shares his reflections in his own words:
"I have just returned from a scoping trip for the Bright Futures project in Kerala, India. In this project we aim to learn from exceptional farmers across the world, who found ways to make their farms sustainable for people and biodiversity. Our team (also consisting of Navya Miriam Itty, Hannah Melcher, Hannah Uther, Huei Ying Gan and Ingo Grass) met with collaborators from the Kerala Agricultural University and, most importantly, with farmers in Wayanad, the agricultural hub of Kerala.
Wayanad is one of those bright spots of sustainable agriculture, filled with absolute gems of people. We met the banana man, who as a hobby grows 100 varieties of banana on his farm, conserving genetic diversity for future generations. Or the PhD student who farms on the side because he could not give up his passion, yet still has time to give demonstrations on how to make organic fertilizer.
Wandering through their forest-like farms felt like a dream, but also makes you think. If such bright spots are out there, what am I doing in my office? Working on a project about bright futures sometimes makes you feel delusional in a world that seems determined for darkness. What can a scientist like me do against such powers?
Not much but also not nothing. Maybe this office with TL-lights is my little battlefield. Armed with morning chai, we will navigate through misty papers, defeat reviewer 2, and forge our ideas in the fires of Mt. Scientific Publication. There, we will make our stand to make the world more bright: from spots, to circles, to the globe.
Reporting from Germany, while thinking about Keralan farms,
Bowy”
Photos by the BRIGHT-Futures team during their visit to Kerala.
