One of the most innovative productive activities with which INTI works is in the industrialization of organic food, which has been growing in the country and whose demand is also increasing on a global scale.

The pilot plants that the Institute has at its technological headquarters in the town of 9 de Julio, province of Buenos Aires, obtained the organic certification seal. This entity provides technical assistance to producers and SMEs in conducting new product development trials, in order to improve nutritional and functional quality, and thus add value to traditional and non-traditional raw materials.

The establishment for the production of organic products was certified by the International Agricultural Organization S.A. (IOA)¹. This Institute has historically been dedicated to providing technical assistance to producers and small and medium-sized companies in the grain sector, for this reason the aforementioned certification includes a dry-grinding corn mill and a semi-industrial extrusion and pressing plant. In the same headquarters there is also a multipurpose plant with a smaller production scale, with the possibility of carrying out a variety of processes and unit operations. Product development trials are carried out and value is added to different raw materials from grains.

The organic certification of this establishment allows producers and SMEs that approach INTI to obtain different finished products (from cereals, oilseeds, legumes and other grains), to make their way in the national organic food market. and international.

Organic Trajectory

INTI’s team of specialists at 9 de Julio has experience working in adding value to organic food production since 2003, mainly with corn flour and semi-defatted soybean flour.

Currently, the Institute’s facilities at that headquarters have organic manufacturing capabilities for more than 90 products. Among them are husked/peeled/popped/extruded oats, barley, wheat, sunflower, sorghum, millet and quinoa; peas, mung beans, corn, amaranth, flax, soybeans, sesame, chia, chickpeas, lentils and kidney beans; flour and by-products of some grains, legumes, cereals and seeds; corn semolina, rice and yamaní rice; among others.

To obtain this particular certification with OIA, work began with them in October 2020. The most important aspect to reach the goal was to comply with the quality management system of good manufacturing practices —procedures, instructions, records, training of personnel, control of drinking water, comprehensive pest management, among others—, in addition to some building adjustments.

On the strategic agenda

Organic Food Production and its industrialization was included among the work priorities during the year in different meetings corresponding to INTI’s regional advisory councils. In addition, the Institute recently signed a specific agreement with the Argentine Movement for Organic Production (MAPO), which includes the identification and monitoring of 30 selected projects in different parts of the country.

“The Institute constantly seeks to be at the forefront of the value-added food market, either from the differentiation of its nutritional value as well as in food quality and safety, with the aim of contributing to the development of reliable and safe products. For this reason, it offers continuous advice to those who, from the productive sphere, intend to find a key to access differentiated markets, such as organic products”, highlighted the president of INTI, Ruben Geneyro.

Argentina’s potential in this sector is very significant, not only because of global demand, but also because it is the second country in the world in terms of certified area for organic production, with 4.4 million hectares. In this framework, it is possible to gain greater competitiveness in the production of organic food, but for this it is necessary to strengthen quality, product certification and improve distribution logistics. At INTI we work on research and we accompany the production and/or industrialization of organic food by small-scale producers, SMEs or large companies in pursuit of achieving these objectives. More information: INTI Organic Production Diversification Program Coordination – consultas@inti.gob.ar

Source: Revista Alimentos Argentinos