Diageo introduces drones to increase agricultural efficiency and environmental benefits in tequila farming in Mexico

• Drones in tequila farming to generate knowledge on agave vegetation to make higher farming selections, cut back water and fertilizer use, and cut back automobile use to scale back carbon emissions
• Drones work in partnership to gather knowledge on agave vegetation, decide when crops want assist, and distribute the required quantity of a singular water fertilizer combine.
• Helps the continued development of Diageo’s tequila enterprise and progress in direction of Diageo’s ESG motion plan, Society 2030: Spirit of Progress

Diageo, the maker of Don Julio and Casamigos tequilas, continues to innovate and launched drone use on agave farms in Jalisco, Mexico, following a profitable pilot in 2022. This has allowed Diageo to leverage the abilities of agave growers for the way forward for the ever-growing tequila trade and its digital capabilities to fly drones, combine extra environment friendly farming practices and ship environmental advantages.

Since mid-2022, drones have been working to find out which agave vegetation want how a lot pesticide and fertilizer water combine to make sure that beneficial water assets are used solely the place they’re wanted, whereas additionally growing effectivity in agave farming. Agave vegetation are the important thing ingredient in making tequila.

The drones work in pairs: one to determine vegetation of concern and accumulate knowledge on the expansion of agave vegetation, and the opposite dispenses a singular mix of water fertilizer and pesticides the place wanted at night time when the stomata are open. Accumulating the information has helped agave growers make higher selections about sourcing.

The information additionally confirmed that the perfect time of day to feed the vegetation is early within the morning when the air is cooler, there’s much less wind to scale back water loss, and the agave plant is extra delicate to water. This has resulted in a two-thirds discount in water use, saving beneficial assets considerably. Drones are able to flying over Diageo’s agave fields, so much less tractor driving is required on farmland, with the secondary advantage of lowering carbon emissions.

Ewan Andrew, Chief Sustainability Officer, mentioned: “As demand for tequila continues to develop, we wish to have the ability to improve our farming effectivity in a method that’s type to the planet. This initiative is an ideal instance of the 2 coming collectively. Growing manufacturing, bettering the abilities of our farmers and serving to us meet our 2030 sustainability objectives. It is an thrilling method to make use of technological improvements for

The usage of drones additionally allowed agave growers to spend their time planting and feeding the brand new agave. In Diageo’s half-year outcomes launched in January 2023, the corporate reported that its tequila enterprise grew 28%, solidifying its place because the world’s primary tequila producer.^one.

Wellington Pauperio, Director of Procurement for Diageo Tequila & Mezcal, commented: “We’re extremely proud to drive effectivity in our farming operations as we pioneer the usage of drones in our agave farming and lead the adoption of innovation and know-how within the trade. This initiative additionally brings extra capabilities to our staff, new alternatives for workers within the communities the place we function, and contributes to a extra sustainable world by lowering useful resource use, together with water mixing in our fields. Getting so far has been an awesome staff collaboration for us and the outcomes converse for themselves as we glance to a greater future.”

Effectivity and precision farming efforts from drone use contribute to Diageo’s 2030 ESG motion plan, Society 2030: Spirit of Progress. As a part of the plan, Diageo is dedicated to defending the pure assets on which our long-term success relies upon, together with lowering water use by 40% by 2030 in water-stressed areas and 30% in all different areas.

To study extra about Diageo’s sustainability motion and commitments, go to diageo.com.

1. IWSR 2022

Diageo is the world chief in beverage alcohol, with a collection of manufacturers within the spirits and beer classes. These manufacturers embody Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB and Buchanan’s whiskeys, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a world firm and our merchandise are offered in additional than 180 international locations world wide. The corporate is listed on each the London Inventory Trade (DGE) and the New York Inventory Trade (DEO). For extra details about Diageo, our folks, our manufacturers and our efficiency, go to us at: www.diageo.com. Go to Diageo’s globally accountable ingesting useful resource, www.DRINKiQ.comfor methods to share information, initiatives and finest practices.