Living on Agricultural Edges: Cultural and Economic Transitions in Coastal Karnataka

Abstract

Agriculture acts as both the means of livelihood and way of life in Coastal Karnataka, where ecological abundance and vulnerability interact dynamically to shape the region. Comprising the districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada, this coastal region has a strong agricultural heritage but is also dealing with a number of challenges, such as land degradation, market instability, climate change, and sociocultural changes. With ramifications for food systems, rural identity, and knowledge transfer across generations, this study examines how agriculture in Coastal Karnataka is changing amid these “edges.” The study explores cropping patterns, the significance of ecological and cultural knowledge, gendered and generational transformations, and the governance structures that impact adaptation through a mixed-methods approach that includes focus groups with a range of stakeholders. Although staple crops like Paddy, Arecanut, Coconut, and pepper continue to play a significant role, farmers are being forced to adapt their methods due to shifting rainfall patterns, salinity of the soil, and a lack of institutional assistance. The investigation illustrates the relationship between farmers’ vulnerability and their ability to adapt, revealing how they balance market-driven decisions with long-standing ceremonial and cultural customs. The study emphasizes the necessity of policy frameworks that acknowledge the cultural uniqueness of the area and the changing agrarian realities, all the while enhancing the knowledge systems at the grassroots level that maintain resilience at the margins.