For more than a century, industrial practices for tequila production have eliminated most of the genetic diversity of tequila agaves and have opted for propagation methods that eliminate pollination and use only clonal shoots. This has resulted in virtually all cultivated tequila agaves containing the same genetic information, losing their diversity and affecting their adaptive capacity.
This project seeks to promote and incorporate ‘bat-friendly’ practices into the management and production systems of agave distillates, allowing 5% of the total agaves to flower in order to produce food for the nectarivorous bats of the genus Leptonycteris, responsible for the pollination of these plants, and to ensure the genetic diversity of the agaves. This evolutionary pairing ensures genetic vigor, promotes the strength and health of the agaves and, consequently, benefits the bat that feeds on them.
Are you interested in supporting this program?
Visit: https://www.batfriendly.org
