Modelo de agronegocios y procesos de acaparamiento de tierra y agua en los oasis de Mendoza, Argentina

LARSIMONT ROBIN

Revista del CESLA. International Latin American Studies Review

Revista del CESLA. International Latin American Studies Review

Lugar: Varsovia; Año: 2020 p. 153 - 188

1641-4713

The margins of the oases of the Mendoza province have acquired in the last two decadesspecial relevance as a focus of investment of the so-called ?agribusiness model.? The latter hasbeen the protagonist of a real conquest in peripheral areas of the oasis, expanding the agriculturalfrontier based on the acquisition of land selected for its edaphic characteristics, the exploitation ofgroundwater, and the application of modern irrigation systems. Starting with the so-called newvitiviniculture ?characterized by the production of high-quality wine destined for export?this dynamicwas also evident in other fruit or horticultural sectors.In this article, from a vertical and multidimensional perspective, we analyze the processes that enablecontrol over certain rural spaces and their water resources by agribusiness corporations locatedon the margins of the Uco Valley oasis. We argue that a singular logic of production-consumptionunderlies these grabbing processes. Firstly, we argue that this logic works in several practices ofprecision agriculture, and we will give an account of the relationship between the expanding ofperipheral lands for agro-productive purposes, the implementation of technologies to irrigate andput them into production, and the targeted markets. We will focus more specifically on vitiviniculturalprojects and agro-industrial potatoes production. Secondly, we argue that this logic also operatesin relation to the growing conversion of new productive rural spaces into enclaves of touristand real estate consumption, related to viticulture.