Cambios en la organización económico-espacial de la fruticultura en territorios de La Araucanía, Chile

Abstract

El artículo aborda el potencial de expansión de la actividad frutícola en la región de La Araucanía, identificando territorios que presentan aptitud para su desarrollo futuro. Se realiza un análisis histórico y se elabora un modelo espacial para definir áreas aptas, el resultado permite reconocer la existencia de dos territorios específicos: Malleco Norte, conformados por Angol, Renaico y Collipulli, y Cautín sur, integrado por las comunas de Freire, Pitrufquén, Gorbea, Loncoche y Villarrica, en estos espacios es posible expandir aún más la actividad pero se requiere mejorar la infraestructura e incorporar un enfoque territorial al desarrollo productivo regional.

Agriculture and Temperate Fruit Crop Dynamics in South-Central Chile: Challenges for Fruit Crop Production in La Araucanía Region, Chile

“…Our simulation of land area trend, up to 2033 indicated that fruit crops in the Araucania region may cover 25,614 ha by 2033. However, Escalona et al [28] indicates that the amount of area suitable for fruit crops in La Araucanía is at least 53,000 ha, which still leaves space for the further expansion of this activity [28]. From a territorial point of view, since 2012, the fruit production in the clusters of Malleco Norte (counties of Angol, Renaico, and Collipulli), and Cautín Sur (Villarrica, Los Laureles, and Freire), described in [28], has been further enhanced.…”

“…However, Escalona et al [28] indicates that the amount of area suitable for fruit crops in La Araucanía is at least 53,000 ha, which still leaves space for the further expansion of this activity [28]. From a territorial point of view, since 2012, the fruit production in the clusters of Malleco Norte (counties of Angol, Renaico, and Collipulli), and Cautín Sur (Villarrica, Los Laureles, and Freire), described in [28], has been further enhanced. At the same time, the area of fruit crops has expanded in other counties located in the central area of La Araucanía, such as Perquenco, Lautaro, and Vilcún, creating a new cluster in the Cautín province.…”

“…Nevertheless, in recent years, the extension of fruit crops has increased in south-central Chile (Biobío, La Araucanía, and Los Ríos regions) [27]. In particular, fruit crops increased by 326% from 2003 to 2018 in the La Araucanía region [27], which has driven the development of emerging fruit crop production clusters [28]. However, little is known about the spatial characteristics of this expansion, undermining sound decisionmaking concerning the allocation of resources and the creation of social and environmental safeguards.…”

“…However, little is known about the spatial characteristics of this expansion, undermining sound decisionmaking concerning the allocation of resources and the creation of social and environmental safeguards. Especially in the La Araucania region (Chile), high expectations are placed on fruit crop expansion as one of the main activities to improve socioeconomic indicators [27], making fruit crops a part of the public and private investment plan for the Araucanía by 2026 and beyond [28].…”