Abstract
ABSTRACT: Historically, the agave pulquero (Agave spp.) has played an important ecological, economic, social, and cultural role in Mexico. Based on a systematic exploratory review of 125 scientific documents, four areas of knowledge associated with the study of agave pulquero were identified: i) biochemistry (46,4%), ii) socioeconomics (20%), iii) cultural studies (11,2%), and iv) agroecology (22,4%). Research converges on the need to value and preserve agaves since they can play an important role in rural development actions and the life quality of future societies, depending on the diversity of food, industrial, agro-ecological and cultural uses they provide. However, there is a fragmentary construction of the research problems that prevent a comprehensive vision of the producing territories as subjects of development. It is concluded that it is necessary to generate interdisciplinary perspectives for the valorization of the agave pulquero as an asset of rural development, based on inclusive innovation strategies, adapted to the specific needs of producers and consumers.
Highlights
The traditional conception of rural development, until recently, focused on the productive reconversion of the territory aiming the production of commodity crops with high profitability in global markets (BERNSTEIN, 2010; PATEL, 2013)
The main product derived from this plant is pulque, an alcoholic beverage with a whitish, viscous, slightly acidic, and low alcohol content (4-7 ° GL), resulting from the fermentation of the fresh sap that is extracted from the base of the plant stem (ESCALANTE et al, 2016)
To identify the areas of knowledge that have contributed to the study of the relationship between agave pulquero and rural development, a systematic exploratory review was carried out (LEVAC et al, 2010) of the literature available in the Elsevier, Scopus, Springer, WorldWideScience, and PubMed databases were performed between January 2019 and February 2020
Summary
The traditional conception of rural development, until recently, focused on the productive reconversion of the territory aiming the production of commodity crops with high profitability in global markets (BERNSTEIN, 2010; PATEL, 2013). Some more recent development perspectives have set their sights on the potential represented by native and endemic products, given their cultural and functional characteristics, which respond to specific needs of contemporary society (AQUILANTI et al, 2020; GUERRERO et al al., 2019). The response to global crises requires low impact agrifood systems, hydraulic efficiency, crops resistant to climate change, independent of non-renewable resources, capable of generating energy inputs, but that do not compete for fertile soil for food production. The maguey pulquero (Agave spp.), represented a resource of high economic, cultural, and nutritional importance in Mexico since preHispanic times (HERNÁNDEZ, 1979). The main product derived from this plant is pulque, an alcoholic beverage with a whitish, viscous, slightly acidic, and low alcohol content (4-7 ° GL), resulting from the fermentation of the fresh sap (commonly called aguamiel) that is extracted from the base of the plant stem (ESCALANTE et al, 2016)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
