The agave cultivation project from quiote seed that we present is aligned with a comprehensive sustainability approach. The decision to allow the quiote to grow, instead of removing it as is done in conventional practices, reflects a responsible vision of our relationship with the environment and the species that depend on agave, such as the agave bat, which is endangered.

The agave bat plays a crucial role in the pollination of agave, and its conservation is essential for the future of the tequila industry. By allowing the quiote to grow, we not only contribute to the preservation of this bat but also strengthen local ecosystems and improve biodiversity on our farm.

Our production is entirely organic, utilizing agricultural practices that respect the land and protect natural resources. This approach reduces the carbon footprint, conserves biodiversity, and promotes soil regeneration. By cultivating agave from quiote seed, we not only ensure that the plant is 100% organic, but we also implement rigorous traceability that allows us to verify the origin and sustainable practices of each batch.

One of the main advantages of cultivating agave from quiote seed instead of cloning (pups) is genetic strengthening. Cloned plants, derived from pups, are genetically identical to the mother plant. This lack of genetic variability makes them more susceptible to diseases and pests. Repeated cloning of the same plant creates a genetic bottleneck, meaning that the genetic diversity of the population decreases over time. As a result, cloned plants become weaker and more prone to disease attacks, such as the Agave Virus or Fusarium Rot, which have severely affected agave farms.

On the other hand, planting agave from quiote seed promotes genetic variability, increasing the plants’ resistance to diseases and pests. By allowing agave to reproduce sexually, greater genetic diversity is ensured, reducing the likelihood that all plants will be susceptible to the same threats. This practice is a form of regenerative agriculture, which not only enhances the resistance of the plants but also helps maintain healthy and resilient agricultural ecosystems.

This approach not only benefits plant health and agave biodiversity but also strengthens the long-term sustainability of the tequila industry. Using quiote seed for planting guarantees a more robust agave population, adaptable to changing climatic conditions and new health threats. Furthermore, genetic variability also enhances the quality of tequila, as a more diverse agave population can produce a greater range of nuances and flavors.

With this vision, we propose a new classification for agave cultivated from quiote seed: “100% Wild Agave” or “100% Savage Agave.” These terms highlight not only the natural origin of the seed but also the sustainable approach and the connection with the agave bat, a symbol of biodiversity and natural pollination. Implementing this classification on labels will allow consumers to identify a product that goes beyond conventional practices, valuing its organic origin, species preservation, and ecosystem regeneration.

Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond agricultural practices: we aim to inspire other producers to adopt these methods through training programs, promoting regenerative agriculture that benefits not only the industry but also biodiversity and the communities that depend on it.

With this approach, we not only seek to comply with the standards of the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT) but also to be a benchmark for responsible production and environmental protection, demonstrating that tequila quality and nature conservation can go hand in hand.

Additional Technical Foundation:
Benefits of planting agave from seed compared to cloning (suckers):

• Genetic Diversity: Cloned plants are genetically identical, making them vulnerable to the same pests and diseases. Sexual reproduction via seed creates genetic variability, which favors natural resistance to pathogens and allows plants to better adapt to environmental changes.
• Disease Resistance: Cloning, being an asexual reproduction method, produces plants with a homogeneous genetic pattern. This lack of genetic diversity makes plants more susceptible to diseases affecting a homogeneous population. In contrast, plants originated from seed have a higher capacity to resist diseases due to their different genetic profiles.
• Ecosystem Strengthening: Planting agave from seed also contributes to soil regeneration and local biodiversity. Seed-grown plants promote ecosystem health, enhancing soil resilience and aiding cross-pollination of other plant species.
• Improved Agave Quality: Genetic variability can also improve the quality of the plant in terms of size, flavor, and resilience. Various studies suggest that genetic diversity can result in greater plant adaptability, which indirectly improves the quality of the agave harvest used in tequila production.

Impact on the Agave Market and Price:

The adoption of the practice of cultivating agave from quiote seed, if widespread in the industry, will not only have a positive impact on environmental sustainability and plant genetic health but could also significantly influence the tequila market.

Growing agave from quiote seed entails additional investment due to the costs associated with seed selection, germination testing, and rigorous traceability of each batch. However, this practice can also be seen as an added value in the tequila market. Agave sourced 100% from quiote seed, due to its greater resistance, quality, and contribution to environmental conservation, could be sold at a premium price, especially if associated with sustainability and environmental responsibility labels.

This market differentiation could result in higher prices for seed-grown agaves, and this increased value could be passed on to producers, who, by adopting these practices, would benefit economically in the long run. Additionally, by promoting this model and encouraging more producers to follow suit, the industry could foster a shift toward a more sustainable and profitable model, both for producers and for tequila brands looking to align with organic products and a strong environmental commitment.

Incorporating these practices into tequila labeling, highlighting the origin and sustainability of the agave, will allow consumers to recognize the value of a product made with ecological responsibility. As consumers increasingly seek environmentally-friendly products, agave from quiote seed could become a quality and sustainability standard, benefiting not only the producer but also the brand and the entire tequila industry.

This comprehensive and sustainable approach will not only preserve the environment and promote biodiversity but will also open up new opportunities for the tequila market, where responsibly cultivated agave could achieve superior value, benefiting both producers and conscious consumers.

Conclusion:

The concept of “100% Wild Agave” or “100% Savage Agave” as a new classification on tequila labels is an innovative proposal that not only strengthens the ecological and sustainability principles of the project but also offers a viable economic solution for all participants in the production chain. This differentiation can create a new standard of quality and environmental responsibility in the tequila industry, benefiting producers, tequila brands, and consumers, while contributing to a more conscious market focused on the future of the environment.

The proposed approach of cultivating agave from quiote seed has significant potential to be more widely adopted compared to other initiatives, such as the “bat friendly” certification. This is a key difference that could influence the mass adoption of more sustainable practices in the tequila industry.

The “bat friendly” initiative has been valuable in raising awareness of the need to protect the agave bat and its role in agave pollination. However, the practice of allowing the quiote to grow to ensure pollination is not always viable for traditional producers, as it entails a direct economic sacrifice due to the use of plants that otherwise could have been harvested earlier. This creates a significant limitation in the widespread adoption of this initiative within the producing sector.

On the other hand, the approach of cultivating agave from quiote seed not only has a positive impact on biodiversity and species conservation but also offers an economically viable alternative. By using seed, producers can avoid the problem of cloning and the associated risks of low genetic diversity, such as susceptibility to diseases, while still maintaining the profitability of their harvests. The traceability of agaves from quiote seed can be a differentiating factor in the market, allowing for premium pricing, which provides a direct incentive for producers.

This approach, by integrating tangible economic benefits such as genetic resilience and the possibility of positioning itself in a more sustainability-conscious market segment, offers a more accessible and attractive solution for agave producers compared to the “bat friendly” initiative. Being easier to implement from an economic and operational standpoint, cultivating agave from seed has greater potential for large-scale adoption in the industry, fostering not only environmental sustainability but also the economic growth of producers.

If this practice becomes widespread and consumers begin to demand products derived from quiote seed agave, the market may recognize its value not only in terms of conservation but also as a premium product. This trend could establish a new standard in the industry, ensuring that responsibly cultivated agave becomes a competitive advantage for both producers and tequila brands committed to sustainability.

In summary, the approach of cultivating agave from quiote seed represents a viable, sustainable, and profitable solution, with the potential to be widely adopted in the tequila industry, driving an evolution towards more responsible, efficient, and valuable practices for all stakeholders involved.

Pablo Lara | Founder