Globalization, biotechnologization of agriculture and farmers – The quasi‐employees of the new high technology farms

Abstract

One of the major changes associated with economic globalization is the increasing importance of intellectual property. In the area of food production, the procurement of intellectual property rights over life forms, particularly seeds, by the new life industry is radically transforming agricultural production relations. One major effect of this transformation is the redefinition of farmers as contract growers by the life industry. This new status of farmers, which is part of a trend that was set in motion with the commodification of food, is making them free‐lancing quasi‐employees of agricultural businesses, including the life industry.