ABSTRACT
The chapter aims to re-contextualize the polarity between the commodification and decommodification of seeds, highlighting reactions and resistances to market pressures. It begins by discussing the emergence of the seed market and its main drivers, such as the biotechnological revolution, intellectual property rights, and the consolidation of the seed industry. The chapter then emphasizes that discontent with changes in agricultural production and economic integration has primarily led to discussions on so-called market failures rather than restricting market transactions. The preservation of public goods, specifically innovation and crop diversity, through the handling of purportedly market failures, has remained a key focus.
Additionally, the chapter explores proposals advocating for the radical decommodification of seeds. This perspective aligns with research in ethics and economics on the concept of noxious markets. By examining the ethical and economic aspects of seeds as commodities, the exploration of decommodification (through “open source” and commons-based initiatives) aims to challenge the prevailing market-driven approach to seed production and seed provisioning. The chapter closes with a discussion on the coexistence between market society and peasant farming, examining the feasibility and desirability of maintaining control over innovations and agricultural production models while resisting the complete commodification of seeds.
