Resumen

MUNOZ MORALES, Ivonne  y  TETREAULT, Darcy. Agricultural reconversion to barley for beer production in Zacatecas. Carta econ. reg. [online]. 2020, vol.33, n.126, pp.133-156.  Epub 27-Sep-2024. ISSN 2683-2852.  https://doi.org/10.32870/cer.v0i126.7749.

This article analyzes programs to convert agricultural activities to barley in Zacatecas, where the world’s largest brewery is said to be located, owned by Anheuser Busch Inbev through its subsidiary Grupo Modelo. What are the material conditions and power relations that underpin the production of barley in Zacatecas? To answer this question, a political ecology approach is employed in an effort to articulate an analysis of the flows of materials and money with an analysis of the power relations involved in the production of barley in the state, including symbolically through discourse. Based on a review of documents and on field research that includes visits to sites of interest and interviews with farmers, public officials and representatives of Grupo Modelo, it is observed that the terms of the contracts between small-scale barley producers and Grupo Modelo are extremely disadvantageous for the farmers, and that the main beneficiary of the government subsidies to promote growing malting barley is the transnational brewing company, not only because these subsidies stimulate the production of raw material for its factory where transport costs are lower, but also because they serve as a platform to establish clientelistic relations with smallholder farmers and to project an image of corporate social responsibility.

Palabras llave : agricultural reconversion; barley; beer; water; Zacatecas; Grupo Modelo.

        · resumen en Español     · texto en Español     · Español ( pdf )