A Case Study of Santanera Destileria & Cerveceria

Background

Mexico has considerable recognition for being the country that holds the intellectual property rights for tequila. However, the exponential popularity of the drink has placed agave plantations across the country under immense pressure, as farmers endeavour to meet the escalating market demand. Agave, the plant from which tequila is made, has an exceptionally long agricultural cycle, typically spanning six to nine years. As supply struggles to keep pace with demand, Mexico has experienced an exacerbated shortage of the raw material needed to produce tequila. The Washington Post reported in 2018 that agave prices had increased six-fold between 2016 and 2018 alone. Consequently, an estimated 15,000 plants were stolen in 2017 alone. Currently, the price stands at its historical peak ($1.50 USD per kilo, compared to $0.25 cents in 2013). More than ever, it is imperative to enhance security measures across these plantations.

This prompted Pablo Lara, the owner of the world's first Agave brand, Santanera, to seek a solution for safeguarding his plantations against theft.

Simplifying Site Monitoring

The previous strategy of frequent site visits proved cumbersome, as Lara was responsible for overseeing 50 hectares of agave cultivated across 13 distinct, geographically dispersed areas. He searched online for solar-powered cameras with a mobile chip, given that the organic agave plantations were situated in remote locations. This search led him to the VOSKER cameras. Cameras such as the V150 were specifically designed for scenarios where establishing a Wi-Fi connection was unfeasible and a consistent power supply was unreliable. The camera sustains itself for an impressively extended period, thanks to its integrated solar panels which perform exceptionally well in open sites, such as the one described.

Results

To start off, Lara decided to install eight cameras across the territory where the risk was maximum. But the results of this strategy were immediate. The number of thefts came down to zero! The camera worked as an excellent deterrent to keep the thieves away. Lara now plans to install more cameras in the new plantations that are at risk of theft due to the maturity stage. Although he was initially sceptical of investing in a security camera, he is equally surprised and pleased at the result.

Santanera is an enterprise that is close to his heart. It was born out of his deep love for Mexico and a wish to awaken his mother’s side of the Arandense lineage. The independent company revives the organic tequila that the industry stopped producing more than 30 years ago, and has an ambitious goal of benefitting both, the producer and the final customer. But this is not just business for him. Lara believes in honouring the environment that allows him to grow the agave, which is why protecting the plantations from vandalism or theft by miscreants was even more important.

We are honoured and grateful to be part of Santanera’s journey and will continue to help more people protect what they truly cherish.