Diageo has accelerated the use of drones as part of its latest environmental initiative, to increase efficiency in the group’s Tequila operations in Mexico.
The project, which builds on a trial conducted last year, centres around drones collecting data on agave plants, the base ingredient for Tequila. The data then informs the amount of water, pesticide and fertiliser the plants require, with all three being dispensed by another drone.
During the trial, Diageo was able to reduce its water use for the agave plants by two-thirds.
“As the demand for Tequila continues to grow, we want to be able to increase our farming efficiency, but in a way that is also kind to the planet,” said group chief sustainability officer Ewan Andrew. “This initiative is a perfect example of the two coming together.”
Diageo, which owns the Casamigos and Don Julio brands, claims to be “the number one producer of Tequila in the world”. In results for the six months to the end of December, announced in January, the two Tequilas posted year-on-year sales rises of 28% and 26%, respectively.
