The economy of the region is based almost
entirely on the primary sector. Agriculture and cattle raising are
central to the economy. During the 1970s, the region experienced an economic
boom because of a massive production of cotton when worldwide demand was high.
This helped to modernize Valledupar, and it became the second most productive
region in Colombia for some time. The cotton boom ended during the
1980s because of a decrease in cotton production during the years of violence.
The resulting economic recession left many in debt and unable to repay loans to
the
