From creole families to purified lignées

An analogy between humans and plants

Abstract

The subject of this work is the process of familiarization of plants and humans. Based on a development experience among small producers in the northeast of Argentine aimed at improving the varieties of native maize, our article describes the characteristics of the maize types before the project took place and the grouping process as result of varieties selection. We also analyze how human modes of familiarization are transformed by the emergence of a social hybrid that combines family and cooperative organization. Our conclusions stress the deep implication of the genealogical model in the institutional practices.