Zapopan, Jalisco.-Seven months after the launch of the Agave Responsable Social (ARS) certification program, more than 800 agave farmers have registered with the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT) to participate in an initiative that aims to strengthen the agave-tequila production chain and eliminate intermediaries.
As of May 2025, over 18,000 tons of agave have been harvested and delivered directly to tequila distilleries through the ARS platform. The program recognizes agave growers with a longstanding history in the cultivation of Agave tequilana Weber var. azul, a key raw material in tequila production.
“I’ve been an agave farmer since 1992,” said Humberto Benítez Pérez, a registered grower from Amatitán, Jalisco. “I joined the ARS platform about a month ago, and it’s already been beneficial.”
Manuel Enríquez Saldívar, another participant from Amatitán, shared a similar experience. “I uploaded my plantation details and was contacted directly by a distillery. It’s a fair, transparent process—no middlemen,” he said.
Currently, 23 tequila-producing companies are participating in the initiative, purchasing agave directly from certified farmers. According to the CRT, ARS supports sustainable farming practices, encourages agriculture contracts, and fosters better planning across the industry.
The program is a joint effort between the CRT, the National Chamber of the Tequila Industry (CNIT), and the federal and state governments. It forms part of a broader strategy to bring long-term stability to the agave sector.
“This is a way to avoid working with intermediaries—commonly known as ‘coyotes’—and instead deal directly with distilleries,” emphasized Benítez.
Eligibility for ARS certification includes:
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Having a maximum inventory of 100,000 agave plants
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Being registered as an agave producer between 1994 and 2017
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Being up to date with tax obligations (SAT registration)
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Complying with environmental regulations (ARA Compatibility Report)
Registration is free and can be completed at CRT offices or through the mobile unit currently touring the Tequila Denomination of Origin region.
For more information, growers can visit www.crt.org.mx, follow CRT on social media (Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok), or call (33) 1002-1910 or (33) 1002-1954.
