Storying Seeds: Literary Representations, Intangible Heritage, and Agripreneurial Pathways for Empowering Marginal Farmers in Rural Bengal

Abstract

This article explores how literary representations and intangible cultural heritage in rural Bengal serve as active resources in agripreneurship for marginalized farmers. Through interdisciplinary analysis, the complex interrelationship between folk narratives, rituals, community identity, and agricultural innovation is unpacked. Drawing examples from tribal communities in districts such as Birbhum, Bankura, and Malda, the paper demonstrates how storytelling, traditional festivals, and artisanal crafts are not only preservers of identity but engines for economic transformation. The challenges these farmers face—fragmented land holdings, weak institutional support, and social exclusion—are foregrounded. The study argues that the integration of cultural capital with modern entrepreneurial strategies enables resilient, ecologically attuned, and locally rooted pathways to development. The article concludes by advocating for policies and educational interventions that nurture this synergy between heritage and economic agency, helping marginal farmers both sustain their livelihoods and safeguard Bengal’s rich agro-cultural tapestry.