Jalisco communities launch reforestation to combat agave-driven deforestation

Communities in Jalisco, Mexico, are organizing reforestation efforts to combat land-use changes and vegetation loss caused by the expanding agave industry. In the Los Altos region, approximately 150 volunteers recently planted 300 pine, ash, and mesquite trees to mitigate the environmental impact of tequila production.

The global rise in tequila consumption has driven the expansion of agave crops across five states within the Denomination of Origin area, including Michoacán, Nayarit, Guanajuato, and Tamaulipas. This expansion has led to the conversion of forests and traditional cornfields into agave plantations. Local residents noted that while agave was once highly profitable, its growth often comes at the expense of local biodiversity and traditional agriculture.

Environmental authorities, including the Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Ambiente (Profepa), have documented instances of forest clearing for agave planting, including within protected areas like the Bosque La Primavera. While some industry beliefs suggest that tree shade hinders agave growth, experts and local organizers are working to restore the balance between the industry and the local ecosystem.