MEXICO CITY, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Thursday unveiled a plan to spur job growth and improve infrastructure in Badiraguato, Sinaloa, best known as the birthplace of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.

The government will implement specific measures to generate 20,000 new jobs in Badiraguato.

"Badiraguato is a town with history, and many people who deserve respect live there," said Lopez Obrador, a proponent of social programs to help young people stay away from crime.

Lopez Obrador said he will travel to Badiraguato on Friday, which would make him the first head of state to visit the town.

Under the development scheme, 50,000 hectares of trees will be planted in urban centers to encourage people to move to cities. A public university specializing in forestry will also be built to take advantage of the area's natural resources.

Earlier this week, Guzman was convicted in a U.S. court of multiple counts of drug trafficking and money laundering. He is expected to serve a mandatory life sentence to be determined at a June hearing.