Arumugam, Vishalini
(2026)
The evolution of Jah Hut agricultural practices in Peninsular Malaysia: history, sustainability, and livelihoods.
PhD thesis, University of Nottingham.
Abstract
This thesis examines the historical evolution, sustainability, and socio-economic significance of Jah Hut Indigenous agriculture, with a focus on shifting cultivation and its transformations in response to modernization, land tenure policies, and environmental changes. The study addresses the limited documentation of Orang Asli agricultural practices, particularly how traditional land-use systems have adapted or been displaced over time. By integrating historical, ecological, and socio-economic analyses, this research provides a comprehensive understanding of the resilience and challenges facing Jah Hut farmers today.
A mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating archival research, ethnographic fieldwork, household surveys, participatory discussions, and sustainability assessments. Rooted in decolonizing methodologies and Critical Indigenous Theory, this study prioritizes Jah Hut epistemologies, ensuring ethical engagement through Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). A research protocol was developed in collaboration with the Jah Hut community, reinforcing knowledge reciprocity and trust-building in data collection and analysis.
Findings reveal that Jah Hut shifting cultivation remains ecologically viable, promoting biodiversity conservation, soil fertility, and climate resilience. The agricultural system embodies a hybrid model, integrating elements of traditional shifting cultivation and Indigenous agroforestry. Intercropping and rotational cropping strategies sustain soil health, but land tenure insecurity, restrictive conservation policies, and market pressures have significantly disrupted traditional practices. The transition toward cash crop cultivation - particularly oil palm and rubber - has reshaped land-use patterns, altered food security dynamics, and contributed to a decline in intergenerational knowledge transmission. Additionally, gendered divisions of labor remain crucial, with women playing a central role in seed preservation, weeding, and post-harvest processing.
The research applies the modified IDEA (Indicateurs de Durabilité des Exploitations Agricoles) framework to assess Jah Hut agricultural sustainability. The assessment underscores that Jah Hut agricultural systems demonstrate agroecological resilience but face structural barriers that hinder long-term viability. Economic constraints, limited market access, and state-led agricultural interventions often fail to align with Indigenous governance structures, leading to a gradual erosion of self-sufficiency.
To provide an accurate representation of Jah Hut livelihoods, this study employs an adapted Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) that expands beyond conventional economic assessments. By incorporating Indigenous governance structures, non-monetary economic exchanges, and ecological stewardship, the modified SLF framework offers a holistic understanding of how Jah Hut households navigate subsistence farming, wage labor, and external development pressures. The findings challenge mainstream livelihood models that overlook Indigenous agency and highlight the need for policies that prioritize land tenure security, cultural sustainability, and food sovereignty.
This research contributes to ongoing policy discussions on Indigenous land rights, sustainable agriculture, and cultural preservation. It advocates for participatory governance models, tenure security, and agroecological approaches that support Indigenous autonomy. Recognizing shifting cultivation as a dynamic and knowledge-intensive agricultural system rather than an obstacle to development is essential for ensuring the long-term resilience of Jah Hut agriculture in Peninsular Malaysia.
| Item Type: |
Thesis (University of Nottingham only)
(PhD)
|
| Supervisors: |
Nath, Tapan Kumar
Wong, Ee Phin |
| Keywords: |
Jah Hut; Orang Asli; indigenous peoples of Malaysia; traditional agriculture |
| Subjects: |
S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General) |
| Faculties/Schools: |
University of Nottingham, Malaysia > Faculty of Science and Engineering — Science > School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences |
| Item ID: |
82537 |
| Depositing User: |
Arumugam, Vishalini
|
| Date Deposited: |
07 Feb 2026 04:40 |
| Last Modified: |
07 Feb 2026 04:40 |
| URI: |
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/82537 |
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