Material power and normative conflict in global and local agrifood governance: The lessons of 'Golden Rice' in India

► We show how the power play between global and local forces shapes agrifood governance. ► Different sources of power and their interaction are crucial determinants of actors' capabilities. ► Ideational power is important and can be as or more influential than material power. ► 'Golden Rice' delineates high levels of conflict over legitimacy claims. ► 'Golden Rice' shows that under certain conditions material power by itself is not sufficient.