The cultivation of maguey pulquero: an option for the development of rural communities in the Mexican Central Plateau

Mexico is considered the center of origin of the genus Agave, which includes over 200 species, most of which are endemic to Mexico. Among these, the maguey pulquero (Agave spp.) stands out, since it is adapted to conditions of low rainfall, frequent frosts and poor soils that occur in large parts of the Mexican Central Plateau. Mixed research combining quantitative and qualitative methods was conducted. Different municipalities with a pulquera tradition in the states of Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, Mexico, Puebla and Veracruz were toured. Social research techniques were applied through participant observation, open interviews, the ethnographic method and a survey. Whether the use of maguey pulquero is a viable option that can contribute to the development of rural communities was examined. It is concluded that the production of maguey provides multiple environmental services and that if it is used in a comprehensive manner, with proper techniques, and if appropriate marketing channels are sought out, it can help trigger the sustainable development of rural communities in the central Mexican Central Plateau.