Garima Jain, a PhD candidate in geography at Arizona State University (ASU), is making strides in understanding the socio-environmental impacts of aquaculture in India, following her 13 years of research experience in her home country and other regions of the Global South. With the increasing salinity of soil due to frequent storm surges, many local farmers have transitioned from traditional rice farming to aquaculture, raising concerns about the sustainability of these practices.
Jain’s research, which has recently received recognition through two prestigious grants—the U.S. National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement grant and the Horowitz Foundation for Social Policy grant—aims to develop strategies for disaster recovery and climate-resilient development in vulnerable coastal areas. The funding will support Jain in collecting critical primary data on the socioeconomic and environmental factors that influence the adoption of aquaculture, as well as its effects on local communities.
“I am extremely grateful to the National Science Foundation and the Horowitz Foundation for supporting my fieldwork,” said Jain. “The primary data that I’m collecting will be the first of its kind. Even after my research is complete, others can access it for developing new research, ideas, and hopefully more insights in the future.”
Her work focuses on practical applications that engage local communities and policymakers. By collaborating with community members, government officials, and experts, Jain plans to host workshops aimed at addressing the dual challenges of climate-induced soil salinity and population growth in coastal regions. “One thing that’s currently lacking is the sense of alternatives for these communities. They know their areas better than I ever will. Through these workshops, they can identify and develop more sustainable solutions themselves,” Jain explained.
Beyond her dissertation, Jain is committed to ensuring that her findings are accessible to a wider audience. She plans to publish her research in open-access journals and produce a short film and graphic anthology to share her insights with non-academic stakeholders. These creative initiatives aim to foster informed policymaking on sustainable aquaculture practices.
Jain’s fieldwork exemplifies the potential of research-driven solutions to help coastal communities adapt to climate-induced vulnerabilities. By examining the expanding aquaculture sector in India, her work provides valuable insights that can inform sustainable practices worldwide, ultimately contributing to the resilience of communities facing environmental challenges.
