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The art of Buddhist connectivity: Organic rice farming in Thailand

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  • Chanatporn Limprapoowiwattana

    (Université de Lausanne
    Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus))

Abstract

This article analyses the interplay between the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) standard, Buddhist socio-economic imaginaries, and values within the global production network (GPN) of organic rice. It asks, “How do transnational standardisation and local values interact in the global production network of organic rice?” Little research has been conducted on the imaginaries and values embedded in the GPNs of organic food. This research aims to fill this gap by examining the transition to organic agriculture among two prominent organic rice farming communities in Thailand, namely the Naso Producer Group and the Ban Thap Thai Organic Agricultural Cooperative. The article draws on a combination of desk research; interviews with governmental and non-governmental officials, standard experts/certifiers, and representatives of the IFOAM; focus group discussions and photo-elicitation sessions with organic rice farmers; on-site observations; and participant observations of mindfulness meditation courses and interviews with Buddhist monks. The results show that Buddhist socio-economic imaginaries have informed the way in which Thai organic rice farmers reconnect to their arable land through an organic farming method, enabling them to live meaningfully and mindfully. This implies that the connectivity of the GPNs of organic rice is not created purely by standards and certifications formulated by transnational private actors; rather, it is also shaped to a large extent by community values and shifts in local mindsets. This article contributes to the literature on food philosophy in the developing world and the governance of the GPNs of organic rice.

Suggested Citation

  • Chanatporn Limprapoowiwattana, 2023. "The art of Buddhist connectivity: Organic rice farming in Thailand," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 40(3), pages 1087-1103, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:agrhuv:v:40:y:2023:i:3:d:10.1007_s10460-022-10363-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s10460-022-10363-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. de Olde, Evelien M. & Valentinov, Vladislav, 2019. "The moral complexity of agriculture: A challenge for corporate social responsibility," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 32(3), pages 413-430.
    2. Benoit Daviron & Isabelle Vagneron, 2011. "From Commoditisation to De‐commoditisation … and Back Again: Discussing the Role of Sustainability Standards for Agricultural Products," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 29(1), pages 91-113, January.
    3. Sandra Schwindenhammer, 2018. "The New Regionalism in Global Organic Agricultural Governance Through Standards: A Cross-Regional Comparison," Global Environmental Politics, MIT Press, vol. 18(3), pages 86-105, August.
    4. Alex Hughes & Neil Wrigley & Martin Buttle, 2008. "Global production networks, ethical campaigning, and the embeddedness of responsible governance," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 8(3), pages 345-367, May.
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