Value Chain in the Production of Sacha Inchi Oil (<i>Plukenetia volubilis</i> L.) in Cuba

Abstract

The seeds of Sacha Inchi (<i>Plukenetia volubilis</i> L.) contain vitamins, tocopherols and fatty acids, and are a natural source of omegas 3, 6 and 9. The crop was introduced in Cuba in 2016, by the Research Center on Proteic Plants and Bionatural Products (CIPB) and has been extended to currently reach 120 ha. Since 2019, a group from CIPB has been working to extract the oil from the seeds, which has proven nutritional values, pharmacological effects and safety, and also on its marketing. The aim was analyze the results of application of manage model as value chain during the two first years to produce Sacha Inchi oil in Cuba. The management model with a value chain approach, as an organizational innovation, favored the development of completely new products and the use of wastes from the main process, which is extracting the oil. In the different links of the chain, known technologies and process and product innovations have been applied. In the productive and commercial activity, the co-innovation with the National Center for Scientific Research (CNIC) stands out, by achieving a productive chain, which guarantees the production of soft oil capsules, which offers greater reliability and attractive appearance compared to other pharmaceutical forms. Reference is made to the experimental evidence that supports the Standard Operating Procedures, to the economic benefits for national sales and exports, to the social impacts and the environmental perspective. All of the above constitutes a scientific novelty for Cuba, since it is the first time that Sacha Inchi is cultivated, industrial oil is obtained from its seeds and it is marketed in the country.