Higher incomes, better lives? Effects of agricultural change in Nepal and Rwanda

It is a common development rationale that the commercialization of agriculture improves smallholder farmers’ lives by increasing their incomes. However, this idea has been challenged by alternative research approaches, such as the work presented in this video. In the clip, Marie-Luise Matthys explains the need for looking at multiple dimensions of a ‘good life’ when analyzing agricultural transitions. She outlines how she integrates those dimensions into her research and illustrates Nepali famers' perspectives of the ‘good life’ in light of agricultural change.

The video was created by FATE PhD student Marie-Luise Matthys in the context of a call for three-minute pitches by the r4d programme.