Page 109 - STRATEGY Magazine (G)

Industry and Agriculture
INDUSTRY
Food processing Textiles
Flour milling Sugar milling Footwear
Tires Cement
Hydroelectric power plant
Oilfield areas producing
Potential
Oil pipeline Petroleum refining Nickel processing
Ni Nickel deposit s Sulfur deposit
Puerto Barries
Mostly forested and agriculturally undeveloped; some shifting cultivation, bananas, and abaca in southeast portion
Basically subsistence agriculture; primarily corn, secondary crops of beans, grains, vegetables, and some coffee
Basically subsistence agriculture, mostly corn with secondary crops of beans and squash, wheat, potatoes, deciduous fruits, and
sheep grazing in higher areas
Principal food-producing area; corn, beans, vegetables, tropical fruits, and beef
Principal coffee area
Commercial agriculture; sugarcane, corn, cotton, cocoa, bananas, coffee, and beef
Principal cotton area; secondary crops and agricultural activities include sugarcane, rice, bean cultivation. and cattle ranching
THE SEARCH FOR
FORWARD MOVEMENT
As the region improves its farming methods, decreases pasture degra- dation, and becomes more accepting
of alternative ecological approaches, Guatemala’s ability to grow organic products will become closer to reaching its full potential. With the success of the sector in other areas, the number of agricultural exports will only increase in the years to come, particularly given
the ongoing success of its many free trade agreements.
There is no debating the capacity for such improvements, for Guatemala is naturally formed to create what could be the best agricultural products the world has to offer. With its numerous lakes, vast jungles, and the richness
of its volcanic soil, the possibilities are endless. However, as many issues hold back production as those that promote it. Political tension, while less of a
problem since the end of the Civil War, remains an issue, and oppressive labor practices and poorly distributed wealth continue to cause unrest. It is these consistent regional concerns that have led to inconsistent production; unless the nation’s private sector can assist
in the stabilization of political unrest and create a more equal distribution of wealth, the pinnacle of Guatema- la’s agricultural potential will remain unrealized.
SPECIAL REPORT
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Huehuetenango
San Marcos
Totonicapan Quezaltenango
Santa Cruz del Quiche
Coban
Ni
Salama
Ni
Zacapa Chiquimula
Retalhuleu
Mazatenango
Antigua Guatemala
Escuintla
Solola
EI Progreso Jalapa
Jutiapa
AGRICULTURAL AREAS
Chimaltenango
Guatemala s
Cuilapa
Flores