The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Eleja parish, Glūda parish, Jaunsvirlauka parish, Lielplatone parish, Līvbērze parish, Platone parish, Sesava parish, Svēte parish, Valgunde parish, Vilce parish, Vircava parish, Zaļenieki parish and Kalnciems town with its countryside territory the administrative centre located in Jelgava city, which is not included in the territory of municipality.