REMISA Project

Janna Barkman and Alejandro Dominguez-Suberbie spent ten weeks in Anchetty, Tamil Nadu, India working in the Revalorizing Small Millets in Rainfed Regions of South Asia (RESMISA) project which is funded by the International Development Research Council (IDRC) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Local NGOs and academics of Tamil Nadu have expressed concern in the loss of varieties and local Indigenous knowledge (IK) related to small millets and associated crops which are increasing threats to local food security.

The project examines the value of IK learning and explores possibilities of bridging informal learning mechanisms with formal learning institutions as a way to promote IK transmission and support community food-security initiatives. Janna used participatory research methodologies to identify local learning dimensions which may support or discourage food security initiatives.