The production figures of piloncillo in Mexico they are fluctuating, however, they are estimated at more than one hundred thousand tons per year. The main consumer sectors of this sector are the coffee industry, agave distilled beverages, soft drinks, fruit packaging and bakery. Today they join forces Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí (UASLP) so that producers better understand their products and their way of marketing them.
Recently the Faculty of Chemical Sciences (FCQ) of the UASLP announced a social linkage project titled “Social and economic development of small agro-industrial units based on the socialization, management, generation and efficient use of sustainable energy”, which has the objective of supporting farmers and producers in the area to generate value-added items.
With support from National Council of Humanities, Sciences and Technology (CONAHCyT), intend to benefit 800 small piloncillo and sugar cane producers in the Huasteca region, according to Alma Gabriela Palestino Escobedo, director of the educational institution, who highlighted that the project is being implemented in towns in the municipality of Tanlajás.
They are going to train farmers through teaching staff to improve the nutritional table of what is made in the Huasteca region.
This advocacy and technological development effort is aimed at empowering rural communities “we have been working with the communities of Huasteca Potosina for two years, inserted in the sugar cane and piloncillo productive system.”
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The main objective is to establish a rapprochement with the community, carry out a diagnosis, identify needs and, using the infrastructure and experience of the faculty staff, propose viable, creative and original solutions.
“It is a responsibility as an institution, teachers and people, to improve the quality of life of the communities.”
In the specific case of the artisanal production of piloncillo, a process that has more than 200 years of tradition in the region and which is closely linked to the uses and customs of the Tének community, the project seeks to influence science and technology to improve this process, increase the productivity of the mills, and facilitate the marketing of products. These efforts aim to obtain a better sales price and improve the quality of life of the families involved.
Mrs. Elia N., from the community of San José Xilatzenthanked this help and assured that it is a source of work for the entire community to advance in the commercialization of the product, with a view to the manufacture of sweets.
“This processing unit is a physical space managed by the community Assembly, and the group of producers received the space in bailment for five years as part of the collaborative effort between Conahcyt and the FCQ-UASLP.”
In this first stage, Sweets will be made with piloncillo and natural productscomplying with hygiene and safety standards, and with a nutritional value endorsed by the Faculty.
Meanwhile, Venancio Martínez Valentín, sugar cane producer from The BarranconHe explained that he is receiving support to transform sugar cane into alcohol, chemical products for the industry, starting with rum and charcoal “this turns the mill into a productive unit capable of generating three or four products at different stages of the year.” ”.
This project has not only benefited current producers, but has inspired young people in the area to see university study as a tool to improve their communities. At this stage of development, it is spreading to communities in other municipalities such as Aquismón, San Antonio, Tancanhuitz and Huehuetlánwhere equally favorable results are expected to be obtained.
