Heirloom rice in Ifugao: an 'anti-commodity' in the process of commodification. Issue 4 (17th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Glover, Dominic; Stone, Glenn Davis
• Is Part Of: Journal of peasant studies. Volume 45:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 776
• Page End: 804
• Publication Date: 2018-04-17
• Subjects: anti-commodity -- terraced wet rice -- Ifugao -- Philippines -- heirloom rice -- escape agriculture; Peasantry -- Periodicals; Sociology, Rural -- Periodicals; Rural development -- Periodicals; 305.563305
• DOI: 10.1080/03066150.2017.1284062
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-6150

Abstract

Abstract : We analyse the marketing of 'heirloom rices' produced in the Cordillera mountains of northern Luzon, the Philippines, as the commodification of a historical 'anti-commodity'. We contend that, historically, rice was produced for social, cultural and spiritual purposes but not primarily for sale or trade. The Ifugaos were able to sustain terraced wet-rice cultivation within a system of 'escape agriculture' because they were protected from Spanish interference by the friction of terrain and distance. 'Heirloom rice' is a boundary concept that enables social entrepreneurs to commodify traditional landraces. We analyse the implications for local rice production and conservation efforts.