Corporate Agriculture in Llano Grande in southern Jalisco: history and socio-environmental issues (1940-2022)

The recent history of corporate agriculture in the Llano Grande region, southern Jalisco, Mexico, comprising the municipalities of San Gabriel, Tolimán, Tonaya, Tuxcacuesco and Zapotitlán, was analyzed during the period 1940-2022. The methodological approach is qualitative and is complemented with statistical information.It was found that factors such as hydraulic infrastructure and international markets have favored the presence of local companies and large national and transnational corporations. Other important factors have been off-season harvesting to supply niche markets in the United States and some social and geographical characteristics of The Llano, which are favorable for agricultural companies linked with agave, tomato, avocado and table grapes. Finally, the water availability in the region, despite the fact that the concessioned value of the Autlán aquifer since 2015 exceeds the recharge volume, has made possible the arrival of new companies that operate successfully in the global supply chain of fruits and vegetables, linking the territory in different types of local and international economic relations.