State, innovation and expansion of the sugar agroindustry in the Cauca river valley (Colombia), 1910-1945

Abstract

This article examines the process of expansion of cane cultivation and sugar production in the Cauca river valley, Colombia, during the first half of the twentieth century. At the same time we explore what were the main components that operated in favor of the transformation of the rural landscape of this region. Thus, we observed that factors such as State investment in infrastructure, creation of agricultural support institutions, implementation of technological innovations, and capital investment by agricultural entrepreneurs, coupled with the growing demand of sugar for the Colombian domestic market led to the emergence of the sugar as modern production units, replacing the mills, and increased production of centrifugal sugar.