Manjula M
Areas of Interest & Expertise
- Ecological Economics
- Climate Change Adaptation
- Gender & Political Economy of Resource Access
- Sustainability Issues in Agriculture
- Agrobiodiversity & Natural Resource Conservation
- Social Enterprises
Biography
Manjula is an Agricultural Economist by academic training, who has an experience of dabbling with ecological and behavioural economics. She teaches courses in the broad domains of sustainability and livelihoods. She works around the ecological, social, and economic concerns of rural livelihoods, conservation of natural resources, food and nutrition security, ecology, ecosystem services, gender, community-based adaptation to climate change, agrobiodiversity, and sustainability issues in agriculture. She is also interested in the political economy of gendered access to productive resources.
She comes with more than two decades of programme management and organisational skills in the development sector. She has designed, coordinated and implemented various multi partner, multi-country, research and development projects supported by multilateral organisations (UNDP, ISCB, ENERGIA), government agencies (MoWCD, ICSSR, MoRD, DST, MoEFCC, NABARD), and international/national donor agencies (SANDEE, AusAID, WFP).
As Principal Scientist at the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, she has conducted research studies around sustainable production systems, ecosystem service valuation, climate change adaptation, food security, gendered resource access, and farming systems for climate resilience.
She has hands on experience in designing and implementing development programmes aimed at strengthening livelihoods of resource poor rural women across diverse agro ecologies. These include developing gendered agricultural value chains, promoting women managed agribusiness enterprises and nurturing women farmers’ producer companies. She has also facilitated community-based programmes on agrobiodiversity and natural resource conservation.
She has several journal papers, book chapters, popular writing, and research reports in her areas of expertise and development work. She is the Vice President of the Indian Society of Ecological Economics (INSEE) (2024−26) and was the Executive Council Member of INSEE during 2022 – 24 and 2018 – 20.
She continues to engage with the social sector through her research and practice, as well as through teaching and capacity building engagements in various certificate programmes for social sector professionals.
Certificate Courses
Ecological monitoring for development interventions
This four-day residential workshop will introduce participants to simple, low-cost techniques that can be used for ecological monitoring and discuss how they can be used to inform development interventions at the local level.
Quantitative Analysis and GIS
This is part of the PG Diploma in Research for Social Action
Gender and Livelihoods: A Gender Transformative Approach
Enabling practitioners to introspect on their work and integrate a gender transformative approach in their programmes.
Quantitative methods for research design and implementation
This is a part of the certificate course, “Basic Research Skills for Development Practitioners”, of PG Diploma in Research for Social Action
Publications
Journal Articles
- Manjula, M., Gopi, G., & Puthiyaveedu, V. (2023). Wetlands and ecosystem services: Empirical evidence for incentivising paddy wetlands. Ecology, Economy and Society — the INSEE Journal, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.37773/ees.v6i2.985
- Indira Devi, P., Manjula, M., & Bhavani, R.V. (2022). Agrochemicals, Environment, and Human Health. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 47, 399 – 421. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-120920 – 111015
- Manjula, M. (2021). The smallholder in the agricultural market reforms in India. Economic and Political Weekly, 56(15). https://www.epw.in/journal/2021/15/commentary/smallholder-agriculture-market-reforms-india.html
- Manjula, M., & Rengalakshmi, R. (2021). Making research collaborations: Learning from processes of transdisciplinary engagement in agricultural research. Review of Development and Change, 26(1), 25 – 39. https://doi.org/10.1177/09722661211007589
- Manjula, M., & Indira Devi, P. (2021). Organic farming in India: Catalysts that can help in transition. Ecology, Economy and Society – the INSEE Journal, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.37773/ees.v4i1.337
- Kumar, L., Manjula, M., Bhatta, R., Venkatachalam, L., Suresh Kumar, D., Indira Devi, P., & Mukhopadhyay, P. (2019). Doubling India’s farm incomes: Paying farmers for ecosystem services, not just crops. Economic and Political Weekly, 54(23). https://www.epw.in/journal/2019/23/special-articles/doubling-indias-farm-incomes.html
- Manjula, M. (2019). How gender-sensitive are India’s Energy policies? Economic and Political Weekly, 54(3). https://www.epw.in/journal/2019/3/commentary/how-gender-sensitive-are-indias-energy.html
- Manjula, M., Venkatachalam, L., Mukhopadhyay, P., Kumar, L. (2019). Ecosystems service approach for revitalizing agriculture in India, Current Science, 116(5), 723 – 727. https://www.jstor.org/stable/27137928
- Nathan, D., Sakhya, I., Rengalakshmi, R., Manjula, M., Gaekwad, S., & Kelkar, G. (2018). The value of rural women’s labour in production and wood fuel use: A framework for analysis. Economic and Political Weekly, 53(26 – 27). https://www.epw.in/journal/2018/26 – 27/special-articles/value-rural-womens-labour-production-and.html
- Nathan, D., Manjula, M., Rengalakshmi, R., & Kelkar, G. (2018). Energy use and women’s work in agriculture: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Economic and Political Weekly, 53(17). https://www.epw.in/journal/2018/17/review-womens-studies/energy-use-and-womens-work-agriculture.html
- Rengalakshmi, R., Manjula, M., & Devaraj, M. (2018). Making climate information communication gender sensitive: Lessons from Tamil Nadu. Economic and Political Weekly, 53(17). https://www.epw.in/journal/2018/17/review-womens-studies/making-climate-information-communication-gender-sensitive.html
- Gopi, G., & Manjula, M. (2018). Speciality rice biodiversity of Kerala: Need for incentivising conservation in the era of changing climate. Current Science, 114(5). https://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/114/05/0997.pdf
- Indira Devi, P., Kumar, L., Suresh Kumar, D., Manjula, M., Mukhopadhyay, P., Raghu, P., Sharma, D., Sridhar, R., & Venkatachalam, L. (2017). Payment for ecosystem services: Guaranteed farm income and sustainable agriculture. Economic and Political Weekly, 52(17). https://www.epw.in/journal/2017/17/commentary/payment-ecosystem-services.html
- Manjula, M., & Gopi, G. (2017). Universal access to clean cooking energy and the need for an inclusive policy: Evidence from analysis of cooking fuel use in Odisha and Tamil Nadu. Decision, 44(3), 193 – 207. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40622-017‑0159‑3
- Gopi, G., & Manjula, M. (2016). Rice can be a medicine if we conserve them. Kerala Karshakan. http://59.160.153.188/library/sites/default/files/KERALA%20KARSHAKAN%20e-Journal%20JULY%202016.pdf
- Manjula, M. (2012). Crisis to confidence: The experience of Mahila Kisan Sasakthikaran Pariyojana Programme for empowerment of women farmers in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. Universitas Forum: International Journal on Human Development and International Cooperation, 3(1).
- Shanmugam, S., T.R., & Manjula, M. (2002). National Agricultural Policy – a critical appraisal. Indian Economic Panorama.
Chapters in Edited Books
- Manjula, M., & Sharma, D. (2024). Teaching sustainability in agriculture to students of development. , In W. L. Filho, T. Dibbern, S.R. de Maya, MdC. Alarcón-del-Amo, & L.M. Rives (Eds,), The Contribution of Universities Towards Education for Sustainable Development (pp. 471 – 487). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978 – 3‑031 – 49853-4_27
- Manjula, M. (2023). The case for women-led-climate smart agriculture. In S. Ravi & A. B. Kundal (Eds.), The ORF Gender Compendium: India’s G20 Presidency and Women-Led Development (pp. 94 – 107). Observer Research Foundation. https://www.orfonline.org/public/uploads/posts/pdf/20231214102519.pdf
- Rengalakshmi, R., Manjula, M., & Seenivasan, R. (2023). Social change through science and technology: Evidence from microlevel interventions in sustainable agriculture. In R. Baikady, S.M. Sajid, V. Nadesan, J. Przeperski, M.R. Islam, & J. Gao (Eds), The Palgrave Handbook of Global Social Change (pp.1 – 17). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978 – 3‑030 – 87624-1_247‑1
- Manjula, M. (2021). Sustainable agriculture. In State of India Livelihood Report 2021 (pp. 79 to 99) ACCESS Development Services. https://livelihoodsindia.org/publications/allpage-soil-report.htm
- Manjula, M., Rengalakshmi, R., & Devaraj, M. (2021). Using climate information for building smallholder resilience in India. In A.K.E. Haque, P. Mukhopadhyay, M. Nepal, & M.R. Shammin (Eds.), Climate Change and Community Resilience: Insights from South Asia (pp. 275 – 301). Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978 – 981-16 – 0680‑9
- Jyotishi, A. & Manjula, M. (2021). Alternative approaches to measure sustainability in a subsistence economy: Empirical insight from shifting cultivation in Odisha. In K.M. Verma (Ed.), Environment, Development and Sustainability in India: Perspectives, Issues and Alternatives. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978 – 981-33 – 6248‑2
- Rengalakshmi, R., Manjula, M., Prabavathy, V.R., Jegan S., & Selvamukilan, B. (2018). Building bioeconomy in agriculture: Harnessing soil microbes for sustaining ecosystem services. In W.L. Filho, D.M. Pociovălișteanu, P.R. Borges de Brito, I. Borges de Lima (Eds.), Towards a Sustainable Bioeconomy: Principles, Challenges and Perspectives. Springer. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978 – 3‑319 – 73028-8_14
- Jyotishi, A. & Manjula, M. (2017). Revisiting statutory laws and customary norms covering Swidden agricultural systems: A study based on Swidden farmers in Southern Odisha. In M.Cairns (Ed.), Shifting Cultivation Policy: Balancing Environmental and Social Sustainability. CABI.
Online Articles
- Manjula, M., Vipindas, P., & Gopi, G. (2023, December 4). Paddy, politics and environmentalism. Mongabay. https://india.mongabay.com/2023/12/commentary-paddy-politics-and-environmentalism-in-kerala/
- Manjula, M., & Deepa, E. (2023, November 20). ‘Work 70 hours a week’: How ‘greedy work’ benefits corporations while employees pay the price. Scroll. https://scroll.in/article/1058909/work-70-hours-a-week-how-greedy-work-benefits-corporations-while-employees-pay-the-price
- Manjula, M., & Vipindas, P. (2023, January 31). [Commentary] Soil organic carbon as an indicator of health of agroecosystems requires qualification. Mongabay. https://india.mongabay.com/2023/01/commentary-soil-organic-carbon-as-an-indicator-of-health-of-agroecosystems-requires-qualification/#:~:text=agroecosystems%20requires%20qualification‑,%5BCommentary%5D%20Soil%20organic%20carbon%20as%20an%20indicator%20of%20health%20of,to%20climate%20change%20mitigation%20attempts.
- Bhibar, S.S., Manjula, M., & Jyotishi, A. (2023). Land-use pattern in Koraput district of Odisha. Point of View. https://pointofview.org.in/allessay/land-usepattern-in-koraput-district-of-odisha
- Manjula, M., & Sharma, D. (2022, September 5). [Commentary] A just growth pathway for agriculture in a changing climate. Mongabay. https://india.mongabay.com/2022/09/an-equitable-and-just-growth-pathway-for-agriculture-during-changing-climate/
- Manjula, M., Manikandan, V., & Sharma, D. (2022). Building farm resilience through natural farming: Reflections from field. LEISA, 24(3). https://leisaindia.org/buildingfarm-resilience-throughnatural-farming-reflectionsfrom-field/.
- Gopi, G., & Manjula, M. (2022). NTFP, forest access and livelihood challenges of forest-dependent tribal communities in Western Ghats. Forest Information Bureau, 42(7), 27 – 31.
- Manjula, M., & Jyotishi, A. (2022, March 03). For India to measure poverty and achieve development goals, it needs a multipronged approach. Scroll. https://scroll.in/article/1017117/for-india-to-measure-povertyand-achieve-development-goals-it-needs-a-multipronged approach
- Manjula, M., & Indira Devi, P. (2020, November 26). The ecological significance of Kerala’s move to pay royalty to paddy farmers. The News Minute. https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/ecological-significance-kerala-s-move-pay- royalty-paddy-farmers-138471
- Manjula, M., & Indira Devi, P. (2020, September 10). Redefining a Farmer. The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/redefining-a-farmer/article32566123.ece
- Manjula, M., & Jyotishi, A. (2020). Caught off-guard: Rethinking dignity of labour, public health, and governance as the virus settles. The Critical Mirror.
- Gopi, G., Manjula, M., & Sivan. (2018, November). Agrobiodiversity in rice for flood resistance. Farm Information Bureau.
- Manjula, M., Rengalakshmi, R., & Thachinamurthy, K. (2017, September). Gender and policies in livestock production – issues and opportunities. LEISA, 19(3).
- Kelkar, G., Nathan, D., Rengalakshmi, R., & Manjula, M. (2017). For clean cooking energy in rural India: Women’s empowerment and LPG as prestige good. Genergypolecon. http://59.160.153.187/genergypolecon/content/clean-cooking-energy-rural-india-women%E2%80%99s-empowerment-and-lpg-prestige-good
- Manjula, M., & Rengalakshmi, R. (2017). Ujwala Yojana – a positive step towards reaching LPG to the unreached. Genergypolecon.
- Rengalakshmi, R., & Manjula, M. (2017). Gendered disparities in accessing clean energy resources for agriculture production — Role of technical, social, economic and political factors. Genergypolecon.
Current Projects
- Towards a Framework for Sustainability in Agriculture, Research Centre Grant, Azim Premji University (Principal Investigator)
- Inclusive Approach to Sustainability in a Subsistence Economy: A Comparative Study of Two Scheduled Tribe Dominant Districts of Odisha and Kerala,’. Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) (Project Director)