Innovation in the mezcal agribusiness chain in oaxaca, mexico

Abstract

Mezcal is the most emblematic drink with the highest cultural density in Mexico, the Denomination of Origin confers specific attributes associated with the territory. It has great economic and sociocultural importance. Oaxaca is the entity with the greatest diversity of wild agaves and concentrates the highest production. The objective of this work is to analyze the adoption of innovations in the agave-mezcal chain. 41 palenques (agro-industries) located in three municipalities of Oaxaca were selected. The adoption and speed were calculated, the benefit-cost ratio of the productive activity was estimated. To establish the relationship between innovation and profitability, a cluster analysis was carried out. The highest innovation rates are related to the production and conservation of natural resources (75%); the second stratum presented an innovation rate of 75%. The first stratum registered a low adoption. Two components explain 70% of the variability (Kaiser, Meyer and Olkin, KMO: 0.74). In component 1 (53.6%) the most important innovations are: supply, process, market, valuation of natural resources, administration and utility; in component 2 (16.8%) the volume processed and the yield are those with the greatest contribution. Palenques with ancestral production and greater innovation have greater profitability.