More-than-sugarcane: Mukdahan Province Sugarcane Network in the Anthropocene from the Human Geographies Perspective
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Abstract
The understanding of ecological crises through the Anthropocene framework often draws on expert-driven knowledge and tends to generalize ecological issues by attributing them uniformly to all of humanity. Similarly, current challenges in the sugarcane agricultural industry are presented to the public in a manner that aligns with this Anthropocene perspective. Consequently, this article seeks to open space for exchanging alternative explanations and to explore new possibilities for understanding the socio-ecological challenges we face today. The article aimed to investigate the processes of constructing the sugarcane network in Mukdahan Province, focusing on the relationship between humans and nature, and to analyze this network as part of the broader Anthropocene phenomenon. This article applied the concepts of Hybrid Geographies and the Capitalocene to examine the natureculture relationships, in which human and non-human actors co-act across shifting spatial and temporal contexts. These interactions contribute to the construction of the sugarcane network in Mukdahan Province. The study adopted a qualitative research approach, collecting data through in-depth interviews, observations, focus group discussions, and document analysis. The acquired data were, then analyzed using content analysis to deepen the understanding of this network’s construction processes.
The study reveals that the co-construction of the sugarcane network in Mukdahan Province by both human and non-human actors was aimed at aligning the sugarcane agricultural industry with the conditions of neoliberalism. The ongoing phenomena within this network reflects a transformation of the agricultural landscape in Mukdahan, characterized by the features of the Plantationocene, which are closely aligned with the concept of the Capitalocene.
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Interview
Pi Khai (pseudonym). Sugarcane Farmer in Mukdahan Province. Interview, 6 April 2022.
Aunty Dang (pseudonym). Former Sugarcane Farmer in Mukdahan Province. Interview, 4 June 2022.
Pi Man (pseudonym). Sugarcane Plantation Worker in Mukdahan. Interview, 7 February 2022.
Pi Ying (pseudonym). Sugarcane Plantation Worker in Mukdahan. Interview, 7 February 2022.
Uncle Sak (pseudonym). Sugarcane Farmer in Mukdahan Province. Interview, 7 February 2022.
Mr. Sin (pseudonym). Representative of Sugar Factory. Interview, 3 March 2022.
Grandny Yim (pseudonym). Former Worker of Sugar Factory. Interview, 28 March 2022.
Pi Ruang (pseudonym). Former Worker of Sugar Factory, Currently, Sugarcane Farmer in Mukdahan Province. Interview, 4 June 2022.
Uncle Dee (pseudonym). Villager of Ban Pa Wa, Mukdahan. Interview, 4 June 2022.
Uncle Dang (pseudonym). Villager of Ban Khok Sung, Mukdahan. Interview, 21 June 2022.
Aunty Maung (pseudonym). Villager of Ban Khok Sung, Mukdahan. Interview, 21 June 2022.
Pi Nuan (pseudonym). Government Official of Agricultural Research and Development Center. Interview, 6 April 2022.
