Implications of the corporate food regime on small farmers in Bangladesh

This thesis investigates the implications of the corporate food regime for small farmers in Bangladesh by using the conceptual framework of food regime analysis and a mixed methods approach to data collection. It argues that, although the corporate food regime has challenged the livelihood of small farmers, it also provides them with opportunities. A further contribution of this thesis is its argument that an economic access to food is not the sole determinant of food security, with other aspects of entitlement, such as political, social and legal, being equally important. Bangladesh has some unique features that make it ideal as a case study for investigating the implications of the corporate food regime, due to its three different geo-political identities during the three food regimes. This study therefore offers a much-required historical perspective on the implications of the present food regime for the small farmers in Bangladesh. At the same time, this research provides an opportunity to obtain an understanding of the fate of small farmers in a pragmatic and sustainable manner, due to the transitional nature of the agri-food system and economy of Bangladesh. The study concludes with the need to take a realistic and sustainable look at small farming, so that the members of this occupational group are not deprived of their right to reach the next stage of their development.