Abstract

MATHEY, Daniela  and  PEREYRA, Mariana. Agrarian Continuities and Transformations in Greenbelts: The Case of Guaymallén as the “Verdeo Zone” of Mendoza, Argentina. Temas debates (En línea) [online]. 2021, n.42, pp.61-84. ISSN 1853-984X.

This study focuses mainly on processes that explain the territorial configuration of Guaymallén, a periurban district that is the main supplier of fresh vegetables of the Metropolitan Area of Mendoza, Argentina. The objective of this article is to analyze small scale farmer’s attributes and their perceptions both about their own continuity in horticultural sector and territorial transformations. The analysis approach is based on data obtained through an horticultural survey conducted in 2019, documentary review and secondary data. These results show a relative permanence of this periurban agricultural space related to both agrifood transformation processes in the wine industry and leading presence of Bolivian families and workers in the horticultural sector. Threats are perceived by farmers associated with urban sprawl in terms of economical (land rent), social (insecurity) and productive (pollution, water supply) factors; economical and financial reasons (low profitability); and demographic and cultural circumstances (farmers ageing and no intergenerational continuity). Finally, a recent municipal law defines this peri-urban agricultural area as “agrifood reserve” prompting new questions about its future.

Keywords : Periurban areas; Small scale horticulture farming; Urban sprawl; Territorial transformations; Mendoza.

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