JOURNAL ARTICLE

Governing pathological markets: Microbes, banana export markets, and speculative farming practices.

  • Published In: Environment & Planning E: Nature & Space, 2024, v. 7, n. 2. P. 609 1 of 3

  • Database: Environment Complete 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Wang, Chi-Mao; Chien, Ker-Hsuan 3 of 3

Abstract

This article focuses on the making and remaking of Taiwan's banana export market in response to the outbreak of Fusarium wilt disease Tropical Race 4 (TR4), a soil-borne fungal pathogen that devastated banana production in the 1960s and 1970s. Using a case study approach informed by actor-network theory and biosecurity scholarship, the authors develop the concept of "pathological markets," characterized by (a) speculative and probiotic care practices aimed at managing soil microbiomes and coexisting with pathogens, and (b) the rescaling of market organizations from large plantations to more flexible medium-sized producers. The study highlights how the unpredictable and evolving nature of microbes like TR4 challenges traditional market framings and agricultural practices, leading to significant shifts in market structure and farming methods in Taiwan’s banana industry.

Additional Information

  • Source:Environment & Planning E: Nature & Space. 2024/04, Vol. 7, Issue 2, p609
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Agriculture and Agribusiness
  • Publication Date:2024
  • ISSN:2514-8486
  • DOI:10.1177/25148486231199334
  • Accession Number:177713482
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Environment & Planning E: Nature & Space is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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