Lunchtime Seminar – March 13 – Pei Jiang

Power Dynamics of Foxtail Millet Variety Change in Aohan, China

Pei Jiang (University of Cambridge)

Aohan is located in Inner Mongolia, China, and is believed to be the centre of origin of foxtail millet in the world. The shift in foxtail millet varieties in Aohan represents a national revolution, as herbicide-resistant cultivars have become increasingly popular since 2019. These herbicide-resistant cultivars effectively overcome the biological restrictions associated with foxtail millet's natural herbicide sensitivity, minimising the need for manual weeding and allowing for scale production. This research analyses why certain millet varieties have gained popularity in the market, while others have lost their appeal over the past few decades. In other words, I address the power dynamics of millet variety change. Through my ethnographic fieldwork, My research finds that the variety change is a biopolitical process of ‘make bloom and let wither’ (Stock and Gardezi 2021, 193). The dynamics of the millet seed industry are co-produced by different stakeholders, including governments, the market, breeders, seed companies, grain merchants, consumers, and farmers.