GUEST ARTICLE |
NATIONAL POSITIONING THROUGH SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT ENRIQUE ALFARO Governor of the State of Jalisco
The previous state administration referred to Jalisco as an
According to our most recent data, the agri-industrial
agri-food giant. I do not believe that designation is correct.
sector in the state hosts 12,529 economic units. Of this total,
Rather, Jalisco is positioned nationally as an industrial hub
11,773 are microbusinesses while 529 are small businesses.
due to the level of investment we have attracted in the
These are the two areas we will focus on strengthening.
agroindustry, innovation and technology segments. Despite
One strategy we are already implementing is to provide
the state’s growth, it would be false to say the economic
municipalities with machinery that will enhance agricultural
policies implemented in the past have been a success. Jalisco
productivity. This equipment will be used to maintain roads
still has 2.5 million people living in poverty. Around 40 percent
between crops, construct troughs and dredge rivers. The
of the state’s population receives an income below the welfare
machinery will also allow municipalities to deal with damage
line and half the population does not have social security.
generated by natural disasters like storms, floods or fires.
Moreover, almost 61 percent of the employed population earns an income equal to or less than three times the minimum wage.
Our commitment to Jalisco’s agricultural sector is clear: we
Unfortunately, the situation is even more dire among the rural
want it to continue growing. We want Jalisco to maintain its
population; 87 percent of the rural population receives less
productive leadership in the country but we want to do it
than three times the minimum wage and around 90 percent
by putting farmers front and center so we can help elevate
of those who work in the agricultural sector have neither a
their quality of life. Our strategy is to position Jalisco as the
pension nor access to a dignified retirement. Given these
national leader in economic value and social contributions
conditions, we cannot say that Jalisco is an agri-food giant.
through the development of strategic production chains. These will take advantage of our regionalization strategy and
It is clear that the strategies implemented by previous
our local talent, benefiting the entire population. Throughout,
administrations have not resulted in the conditions needed
we will maintain a responsible and sustainable focus.
to reduce the inequality gap. Although we recognize that important steps have been taken, it is necessary to consolidate Jalisco’s leadership beyond employment generation and exports. We also need to increase the population’s income level. Our administration seeks
COMPANIES IN JALISCO'S AGROINDUSTRY Micro
Small
Medium
Large
Total
11,773
529
159
68
12,529
to generate economic development through regional specialization. This means that we will take advantage
Overall, our modus operandi will be based on two pillars:
of the strengths and opportunities offered by Jalisco’s
the strengthening of, and respect for, the rule of law and
different regions to foster sustainable development that
the improvement of physical and digital infrastructure. We
first and foremost benefits our population. As the new state
also will base our economic development on processes that
government, we take this commitment very seriously.
improve the state’s regulations, sustainability and social responsibility, while also implementing an integral educational
The agroindustry will ignite economic activity in the
project. For the state, is important to take into consideration
agricultural regions of the state. Paradoxically, although this
the strengths and opportunities in each region to generate
industry is considered an engine for economic growth, the
a focused educational program. The proposition will be
living conditions of those in the sector have not improved.
complemented with strategies for regional development
We must reverse this situation. We cannot continue to foster
and the internal strengthening of the state’s capabilities.
an agricultural sector that generates significant wealth but
Ultimately, our strategy will attract greater investment, help to
at the same time delivers poverty to those who work in it.
integrate the labor sector into the overall growth strategy and
Jalisco should not be an agri-food giant that condemns its
strengthen the state’s SMEs and the use of innovation, science
citizens to poverty or migration.
and technology development as engines of Jalisco’s economy.
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