Premium
Markets of Multitudes: How Biotechnologies are Standardising and Differentiating Corn and Soybeans
Author(s) -
Konefal Jason,
Busch Lawrence
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
sociologia ruralis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.005
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1467-9523
pISSN - 0038-0199
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-9523.2010.00510.x
Subject(s) - audit , genetically modified maize , production (economics) , business , supply chain , genetically modified organism , agricultural science , marketing , microbiology and biotechnology , economics , genetically modified crops , biology , microeconomics , accounting , biochemistry , transgene , gene
Using the case of corn and soybean production, this article examines the development of a market of multitudes in agrifood systems. With the introduction of genetically modified varieties, corn and soy production have undergone significant standardisation. However, the market for non‐genetically modified corn and soybeans has simultaneously proliferated. Thus, there are now multiple market streams for corn and soy that, we argue, has given rise to a new organisational model, namely supply chain management. Using data collected from a survey, interviews and web analyses we examine how supply chain management is being implemented in non‐genetically modified corn and soybean production. Specifically, we examine the use of identity preservation programmes, standards, audits and testing, and the benefits and limitations of such an organisational model for different actors. In concluding, we argue that the shift towards a market of multitudes is creating opportunities for producers and consumers but also poses a number of ethical challenges.