ARS is a certification mark that recognizes traditional agave growers. One of its benefits is the direct connection between agave and Tequila producers, eliminating intermediaries.
18 000 tons of agave have been harvested and sent to tequila factories through the Agave Responsable Social certification mark.
Zapopan, Jalisco, May 28, 2025 – Seven months ago, a call was launched for agave producers to obtain the Agave Responsable Social (ARS) certification mark, which recognizes farmers who have historically dedicated their lives to cultivating and harvesting Agave tequilana Weber blue variety for the production of Tequila.
Humberto Benítez, an agave producer, is one of the 842 farmers who have registered with the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT) to obtain this certification and who have benefited from it.
“My name is Humberto Benítez Pérez. I live in Amatitán, Jalisco. I’ve been an agave grower since 1992. I registered on the ARS platform about a month ago,” said the agave farmer.
Manuel Enríquez, another agave producer from Amatitán, Jalisco, has also benefited from ARS. He uploaded his plantation information to the platform and was contacted directly by a distillery.
“My name is Manuel Enríquez Saldívar. I live in the municipality of Amatitán, Jalisco. I encourage all agave growers to register, to go to the platform and sign up. It’s the best deal from company to producer—everything is good there,” said the agave farmer.
So far, 23 tequila companies are participating in this project, through which 18,000 tons of agave have been placed without intermediaries.
The ARS certification mark is part of the initiatives promoted by the Tequila Regulatory Council, the National Chamber of the Tequila Industry (CNIT), and both federal and state governments to strengthen the Agave-Tequila Production Chain, support its primary sector, and enable strategic crop planning.
“I invite my fellow agave farmers to register directly, avoiding the middlemen who are commonly known as ‘coyotes’. Here, it’s done directly,” emphasized agave grower Humberto Benítez.
The Agave Responsable Social certification mark not only recognizes traditional agave farmers and encourages direct connections between growers and tequila producers, but also promotes contract farming, provides training in sustainable agricultural practices, and fosters strategic crop planning.
Who can obtain the ARS certification mark?
The Agave Responsable Social (ARS) certification mark is free of charge and can be obtained by agave producers who:
Have a maximum inventory of 100,000 agave plants.
Registered as agave producers between 1994 and 2017.
Are up to date with their tax obligations (registered with the SAT).
Have plantations that have not caused deforestation (ARA Compatibility Report).
How and where to register?
If you meet all the requirements, bring your official ID (INE) and your Tax Status Certificate to any of the offices of the Tequila Regulatory Council (Consejo Regulador del Tequila), or to the Mobile Unit that will be traveling throughout the Tequila Appellation of Origin region.
For more information about Agave Responsable Social (ARS), you can visit the website www.crt.org.mx follow the CRT on social media (Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok), or call the phone numbers +52 33 10 02 1910 or +52 33 10 02 1954.
