“I do not believe that a study of this nature is late. Investments have been made, of course, But what defines this is being able to determine in the territories in which the public policy is going to create incentives or disincentives. If water is a crucial issue, we must invest in more efficient irrigation systems and activities must be guided there.”

To date, there are areas with the presence of crops such as berries where social transformation has been radical, and where the depletion of natural resources such as water.

It is evident since the arrival of this crop to the region, such as in Atemajac de Brizuela and its surroundings or the municipalities of Jocotepec, Cocula, Tecolotlán and Ciudad Guzmán, shared Carlos Chávez, member of the Union of Peoples and Communities of Jalisco, for Water, Health and Territory (UPOJAST)

Lina Pohl Alfaro FAO Representative in Mexico

“The berry and avocado crops They are very water consumers, In areas where aquifers have been installed, they have dropped a lot.

They start with 50 meter wells, They are going to drill 100, 150, 300, 400 meters and it is as if they have the water that is for everyone with a hidden straw and the government does not regulate these situations.”

So how has the expansion of berries, agave and avocado been carried out in the Jalisco countryside? Based on what studies? Once the results of the agroecological zoning Is it possible to move crops already established in the area? Lina Pohl, FAO representative in Mexico, he said.

“I don't think the idea is to move crops... The idea is rather to say here in this area these crops They have agricultural potential, "It has high efficiency and we have to see how they are transformed, if they are not already, into more sustainable productive systems and what transitions must be made from current to sustainable systems."

Lina Pohl added that the authorities of Jalisco and the municipalities will be in charge of taking the decisions based on the information generated of the study to organize the territory.

In addition to zoning, FAO is also working on a fisheries and mariculture management plan for the coast of Jalisco.