Zapopan, Jalisco.— One year after its creation, the Agave Responsible Social (ARS) certification has become a key initiative within the tequila agroindustry. To date, more than 1,300 agave growers have been certified, and 148 companies have joined the program led by the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT).
Launched in October 2024, ARS promotes direct collaboration between agave producers and tequila factories, recognizing the work of traditional growers and encouraging sustainable practices within the Agave–Tequila Productive Chain.
According to Alexis Álvarez, Agricultural Certification Manager at the CRT, in its first year over 158,000 tons of agave have been harvested and delivered to tequila producers — a milestone achieved thanks to growers who operate sustainably, meet fiscal obligations, and register their plantations properly.
“ARS represents a major joint effort across the entire Agave–Tequila chain. Today, we can proudly say that over 1,300 growers are certified and 148 companies have joined the program,” Álvarez said.
Beyond promoting strategic planning in agave cultivation, ARS also encourages professionalization in the primary sector. Recently, 150 agave growers participated in a regenerative agriculture workshop, where they learned sustainable techniques that contribute to soil and ecosystem conservation.
The Tequila Regulatory Council emphasized that the sustainable development of the sector relies on collaboration among producers, industry members, and government institutions. For this reason, it will continue to promote actions that strengthen technical knowledge and decision-making in municipalities within the Tequila Denomination of Origin (DOT) region.
The ARS Certification
The Agave Responsible Social certification is free of charge and open to agave producers who meet the following criteria:
-
Have an inventory of up to 100,000 agave plants.
-
Have registered as agave producers between 1994 and 2017.
-
Are up to date with their tax obligations (registered with the SAT).
-
Possess a Compatibility Report (ARA) confirming that their plantations have not caused deforestation.
Producers who meet these requirements can apply by visiting any Tequila Regulatory Council office with their official ID (INE) and Tax Status Certificate.
For more information about the Agave Responsible Social (ARS) certification, visit www.crt.org.mx, follow the CRT on social media, or call +52 (33) 10 02 1910 or +52 (33) 10 02 1954.
