Environmental History and Agricultural Policies in Latin America: Transformations in the Northern Region of Jalisco

Abstract: In the 1990s, agricultural policies were implemented, leading to a gradual liberalization of agricultural markets. This sector in Latin America became part of the dynamics of globalization, causing these countries to seek increased productivity to enhance their international competitiveness, regardless of the social and environmental costs. The vision of these policies has mainly conceived short-term benefits for local populations. Since this period, rural regions have been shaped by different forms of production, such as agro-industrial complexes controlled by transnational companies and local farmers, most of whom practice traditional peasant agriculture. This type of agriculture may have lower agricultural and livestock yields but tends to be less resource-depleting and therefore more environmentally friendly. The objective of this work is to present the agricultural transformations in northern Jalisco from the implementation of liberal policies in the 1990s until 2020. This period is considered due to the increase in productive intensification, leading to serious environmental imbalances and the degradation of regional ecosystems. The study is based on a space-time comparative analysis of changes in agricultural land use. In the northern region of Jalisco, the advance of capitalist agriculture is evident through a shift in production. The expansion of livestock farming in the region has led to a decrease in the cultivation of native maize in favor of hybrid grain cultivation primarily for cattle fattening. This has impacted ecosystems, as hybrid seeds require more inorganic fertilizers and intensive use of pesticides, which contaminate the soil, aquifers, and air. Additionally, it affects the population’s diet, as the consumption of native maize has decreased, and now the population relies on forage maize.

Key words: environmental history, agricultural policy, and Northern Region of Jalisco

JEL codes: Q, Q5