Research Paper
Political Ecologies: Nature, Humans and Non-Humans (202200003)
Name: Pim
Student ID number: …
E-mailadres: …
Date: May 14th, 2024
Tutor: …
Wordcount: 3093
Page numbers: 14
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, Abstract
The focus of this paper will be on harvesting “Green Gold” in Michoacan State, Mexico, the
global center of avocado production. Mexico is the world’s largest exporter of avocados and
exports most of it to the United States and Europe. The globalization of food sales and
consumption has driven the growth of the avocado industry to unprecedented heights. This
has resulted in ecological, environmental, and socio-economic impacts on local communities.
In addition to bringing some economic benefits, such as increased employment and reduced
poverty, this is also accompanied by negative environmental and socio-economic impacts
within the main production. Issues such as deforestation, water conflicts, and soil
degradation, within the local regions where avocados are grown, can all be linked to an
expanding avocado industry. The avocado business has become so lucrative over the last
decade that more and more people want to be involved in this industry. This has also attracted
the attention of big agribusinesses who want to make the most of this market, despite its
substantial ecological consequences for the local ecology, environment, and culture. The
relentless demand for avocados, also considered a “healthy super food”, still continues to
grow, leaving multiple issues at hand. This study aims to shed light on these complex
dynamics surrounding avocado production, exploring the difficult balance between economic
prosperity, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility in the context of food
globalization.
KEYWORDS
Avocado industry, Michoacan State, Capitalocene, environmental impact, globalization
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