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Superweed amaranth: metaphor and the power of a threatening discourse

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  • Florence Bétrisey

    (University of Lausanne)

  • Valérie Boisvert

    (University of Lausanne)

  • James Sumberg

    (University of Sussex)

Abstract

This paper analyses the use of metaphor in discourses around the “superweed” Palmer amaranth. Most weed scientists associated with the US public agricultural extension system dismiss the term superweed. However, together with the media, they indirectly encourage aggressive control practices by actively diffusing the framing of herbicide resistant Palmer amaranth as an existential threat that should be eradicated at any cost. We use argumentative discourse analysis to better understand this process. We analyze a corpus consisting of reports, policy briefs, and press releases produced by state extension services, as well as articles from professional and popular magazines and newspapers quoting extension specialists and/or public sector weed scientists or agronomists. We show how the superweed discourse is powered by negative metaphors, and legitimizes aggressive steps to eradicate the weed. This discourse reinforces the farmers’ techno-optimism master frame, contributes to deskilling of farmers and sidelines ethical concerns.

Suggested Citation

  • Florence Bétrisey & Valérie Boisvert & James Sumberg, 2022. "Superweed amaranth: metaphor and the power of a threatening discourse," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(2), pages 505-520, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:agrhuv:v:39:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s10460-021-10259-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10460-021-10259-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ola Tveitereid Westengen & Progress Nyanga & Douty Chibamba & Monica Guillen-Royo & Dan Banik, 2018. "A climate for commerce: the political agronomy of conservation agriculture in Zambia," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 35(1), pages 255-268, March.
    2. Labarthe, Pierre & Laurent, Catherine, 2013. "Privatization of agricultural extension services in the EU: Towards a lack of adequate knowledge for small-scale farms?," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 240-252.
    3. George R. Mcdowell, 2003. "Engaged Universities: Lessons from the Land-Grant Universities and Extension," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 585(1), pages 31-50, January.
    4. James Sumberg & John Thompson & Philip Woodhouse, 2013. "Why agronomy in the developing world has become contentious," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 30(1), pages 71-83, March.
    5. Eve Chiapello & Norman Fairclough, 2002. "Understanding the new management ideology: a transdisciplinary contribution from critical discourse analysis and new sociology of capitalism," Post-Print hal-00466541, HAL.
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    Cited by:

    1. David Weisberger & Melissa Ann Ray & Nicholas T. Basinger & Jennifer Jo Thompson, 2024. "Chemical, ecological, other? Identifying weed management typologies within industrialized cropping systems in Georgia (U.S.)," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 41(3), pages 935-953, September.

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