Agriculture as Resistance: Deconstructing Colonialism Through Food and Farming

Human life is fundamentally intertwined with food. It nourishes us, connects us to the land, and ties us to generations past. But food is not just a source of sustenance. It serves as a powerful act of resistance. To share a meal is to affirm our humanity, our culture, and our bond with the earth. Through farming and food cultivation, people have long resisted colonialism, oppression, and the forces that seek to sever their ties to the land. As civil rights leader Malcolm X said, “Land is the basis of all independence. Land is the basis of freedom, justice, and equality,” (Malcom X 1963). The connection to land and food is central in the struggle for food sovereignty and cultural preservation. From small-scale farmers to Indigenous peoples resisting occupation, food and farming practices serve as acts of defiance against the systems and actors that seek to oppress and erase them.

Food is often used as a way to resist colonial conquest and oppression, while simultaneously serving as a vital means of healing and sustenance. Farming and the cultivation of food sustain an intimate connection to the land, which is a relationship that imperial and colonial regimes have historically sought to sever. While marginalized peoples across the globe face diverse forms of oppression, maintaining a connection to the land is central to preserving food sovereignty, protecting cultural heritage, and, in some cases, resisting occupation and genocide. This essay explores the ways in which food and agricultural practices have historically served as forms of resistance, healing, and cultural preservation for communities affected by colonialism and imperialism, highlighting food as both a symbol and tool for resilience in the face of oppression.