The intersection of livestock, national identity, and agricultural policy plays a pivotal role in shaping modern socio-political landscapes. In research published in Food, Culture & Society, An International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, a Q1 journal with an impact factor of 1.4, Dr. Saranya Antony A, Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at SRM University-AP, explores the complex socio-political frameworks surrounding dairy production in India. The paper is titled “Mother cow, mother India: a multispecies politics of dairy in India”.
The study examines the cultural, political, and economic dimensions of India’s dairy industry, highlighting how multispecies interactions intersect with national discourse and institutional governance. By analyzing the symbolic and material status of cattle, the research delves into the ways multispecies perspectives influence public policy, rural livelihoods, and ideological frameworks in contemporary India.
Abstract
This study investigates the multispecies dynamics embedded within India’s dairy sector, examining the socio-political narratives surrounding cattle, state policy, and national identity. Utilizing a political science framework, the paper analyzes how non-human animals are positioned within institutional structures, agricultural economics, and ideological discourses. The research highlights how cultural symbolism and industrial practices intersect to form a unique multispecies politics within the broader framework of Indian governance and public policy.
Practical Implementation / Social Implications of the Research
The findings provide critical insights for policymakers, sociologists, and political analysts seeking to understand the cultural and political economy of livestock management in India. By examining dairy production through a multispecies governance lens, the research contributes to informed policy discourse around sustainable agriculture, animal welfare regulations, and rural economic structures. It offers a deeper understanding of how traditional cultural narratives interact with modern agricultural supply chains and state administration.
Future Plans
Dr Saranya Antony A plans to expand this research by exploring broader governance models in environmental political theory and multispecies policy frameworks, examining how non-human agencies influence modern socio-political movements across global contexts.