Sustainable Production of Andean Agave

Partnership
Initiative

Background

The Asociación Nacional de Cadenas Productivas del Penco y la Cabuya en el Ecuador (National Association of Productive Chains of Penco and Cabuya of Ecuador - ANAGAVEC) is comprised of 30 Andean agave producers in Ecuador. The entity is a national leader in promoting capacity building of Andean agave producers for the sustainable production and commercialisation of products derived from this traditional crop. It has led the process to formally recognise the protected designation of origin of Miske, a distilled alcoholic beverage derived from the distillation of Andean agave, thus reviving an ancient drink rooted in Andean culture and adding value and global recognition.

In addition, the Colegio Internacional de Técnicos y Maestros Tequileros, Asociación Civil (International College of Tequila Technicians and Masters, Civil Association - CITEMATEQ) in Mexico is a well-known authority in the training of tequila professionals, and also advises consumers and companies on positioning the product in the international market. CITEMATEQ carries out important work in the research, development and dissemination of sustainable production practices, with a focus on product quality.

The Lycée Agricole et Viticole d'Amboise (School of Agriculture and Viticulture), a local public agricultural education and vocational training establishment in the Loire region of France, offers educational and technical apprenticeship courses for young people and adults. Its main objective is to contribute to the training of future managers, company directors and employees in the wine and equestrian sectors. It is one of the leading entities in the training of wine makers, with a focus on sustainable production and the diversification of its added value.

ANAGAVEC promoted the establishment of a Triangular Cooperation Partnership between these three entities, with support from the Fundación Progressio Ecuador, which served as a collaborating entity in the Triangular Cooperation Initiative. The aim was to strengthen the sustainable production of agave and its by-products in Ecuador, drawing on good practices and lessons learnt from Mexico and the traditions and history of French wine production.

Entities and roles

Beneficiary entities

Asociación Nacional de Cadenas Productivas del Penco y la Cabuya en el Ecuador (ANAGAVEC)

Ecuador

First provider entities

Colegio Internacional de Técnicos y Maestros Tequileros Asociación Civil (CITEMATEQ)

Mexico

Second provider entities

Lycée Agricole et Viticole d'Amboise

France

Collaborating entities

Fundación Progressio Ecuador, Ecuador

Development challenges

Andean agave is an ancient crop that is part of the region's identity, rooted in the Andean culture of Ecuador. Most of the producers belong to Indigenous communities, which in many cases are vulnerable, requiring support for the revalorization of the crop and to improve productivity in a sustainable way. At the same time, this revalorization needed to be combined with the positioning of the agave-producing Andean region as a cultural destination and a provider of quality tourism, which would directly benefit the local communities.

Drawing from Mexico's experience in sustainable agave production and France's expertise in improving competitiveness and diversifying the added value in the wine industry, this Triangular Cooperation Partnership sought to strengthen ANAGAVEC to design a sustainable agro-industrial production model for Andean Agave, with an added value and socio-cultural impact.

This Triangular Cooperation Initiative contributed to capacity building of the Partnership entities to create an integrated management model for the sustainable production of Andean Agave, aiming to maintain its protected designation of origin status while respecting the environment and cultural traditions.

Triangular approach

The industry linked to the distillation of the agave plant in Mexico produces beverages such as tequila and mezcal, leading to single-crop farming and deforestation and contributing to climate change. Faced with this problem, organisations such as CITEMATEQ have promoted the transition towards a circular economy, taking advantage of the entire production cycle and positioning sustainable production within tourism and cultural activities.

At the same time, the long history of French wine production served as a benchmark for improving the quality and traceability of Andean Agave and Miske, positioning it as a national Ecuadorian beverage. The knowledge of the Partnership entities helped strengthen ANAGAVEC, enabling the entity to pass on best practices to its producers and improve the profitability and sustainability of their production.

The knowledge of the Provider entities allowed ANAGAVEC to strengthen its capacities to transmit best practices to its production units in order to improve the yield, profitability and sustainability of Andean agave production. At the same time, the knowledge acquired highlighted the cultural value of this product as an ancestral crop, which is highly promising for the sustainable tourism industry, the strengthening of local communities, and continuous crop improvement through the application of good practices.

The Partnership entities also sought new collaborative scenarios to expand marketing activities, exchange knowledge and disseminate the Andean Agave Sustainable Management Model, which can be replicated in other contexts, countries and regions.

Sectoral approach - Contribution to the 2030 Agenda

Primary SDG

Goal 9.2 Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in least developed countries

Goal 9.4 By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities

Secondary SDG

Goal 12.2 By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources

Goal 12.3 By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses

Goal 12.8 By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature

Goal 12.B Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products

ADELANTE SDG

Goal 10.1 By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 per cent of the population at a rate higher than the national average

Goal 17.9 Enhance international support for implementing effective and targeted capacity-building in developing countries to support national plans to implement all the sustainable development goals, including through North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation

Territorial approach

Intervention methodology

The work plan of this Initiative was centred on seven activities that sought to provide opportunities to transfer knowledge between the Partnership entities, in addition to developing tools to strengthen the Beneficiary entity based on the knowledge and expertise of the Provider entities.

The Initiative began with a study that collected information on the distribution, concentration and production of agave in the Andean region of Ecuador. Through the study, it was possible to identify measures to guarantee the protection of the Miske designation of origin, as well as guidelines for the development of the tourism industry in the production areas.

Throughout the implementation period of the Initiative, three study visits were carried out; one to each Partnership member country. The visits provided opportunities for experience-based exchange in which joint learning was encouraged, with an emphasis on experiences of particular interest to the Beneficiary entity. A visit was made to the Loire region in France, centred on the management and enhancement of French wine production as a model of success. This was followed by a visit to the Jalisco region, where participants learned about the experiences of agave production and tourism in Mexico. The third visit took place in the Andean region of Ecuador, where the Provider entities learned first-hand about existing practices in the production of Andean Agave.

In parallel, two consultancies were carried out to identify the ancestral knowledge and cultural practices of the Indigenous communities in the Andean region of Ecuador, as well as the role of women Agave producers. This knowledge was incorporated into the development of the Andean Agave sustainable management model, ensuring an anthropological and gender-based approach.

Lastly, the Initiative closed with a face-to-face seminar in the Pichincha region of Ecuador, where the model was presented, and which included the participation of Andean agave producers, local and national authorities, academics and stakeholders from various agricultural production chains.

›› Download the document "Anthropological dimensions for a sustainable Andean agave production model" (Spanish).

Direct beneficiaries (individuals)

According to Rule 9 of the Guidelines for Applicants: all persons participating in the activities of the Initiative.

120 direct beneficiaries participated in the Initiative, primarily from ANAGAVEC's productive units and employees. This figure also includes at least 15 people from the Provider entities and 3 civil servants from public entities at the local and national levels to whom the model was presented.

Budget

EU contribution: 174,027.44 €

Co-financing - Triangular Cooperation Partnership: 65,788.00 €

Total budget: 239,815.44 €

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