About

For millions of years, the magueyero bats Leptonycteris yerbabuenae, L. nivalis and Choeronycteris Mexicana, have carried the pollen from the flowers of the plants to others, pollinating numerous generations of agave. This evolutive handle ensures the genetic strength and promotes healthy crops, in consequence it benefits the production of agave spirits.

For over a century, industrial practices in the tequila production have suppressed most of the genetic diversity in blue agave using clonal shoots as the main propagation method, avoiding pollination. This have caused that essentially all of the agaves cultivated in the vast region of Tequila share the same genetic information, losing diversity and challenging their adaptation qualities becoming more susceptible to plague and disease.

A branch of mezcal production is following this path towards industrial practices, in some cases by intense monoculture. But there are other producers, mostly traditional producers, that honour ancient practices that, in contrast with the industry, keep agroforestal and sustainable practices.

This project aims to promote and incorporate Bat Friendly practices in the agave management and spirit production derived from this plants by allowing a 5% of the agave population to flower to ensure there is food for the nectar feeding bats of the Leptonycteris genre, and in consequence we have pollination.