Identification of local spring/summer raw materials and by-products from the central Chaco region for use during complementary feeding

Abstract

Introduction: knowledge about the availability of regional raw materials, together with socio-technological and educational strategies, are useful for an optimal supply of nutrients in the diet. The objective of this study was to identify local raw materials and by-products from the central Chaco region that could be useful to cover nutritional deficiencies during the complementary feeding stage.

Materials and method: for this purpose, an instrument was designed to survey the productive referents about the type and destination of agricultural activity, geographical location, description of production, availability, technological processes, and production capacity/volume, among others. The products were analysed according to their contribution of critical nutrients for children aged 6 to 24 months (calcium, iron, vitamins A, D, and E) using chemical composition tables and a bibliographic search. The technical data sheet designed had 4 sections and 29 items: general data (8 items), agriculture, livestock, and by-products (7 each).

Results: 50 local producers supplied the department of Comandante Fernández. It was observed that the main activity in the region was agriculture, representing 32%; of these, 78% of the production corresponded to vegetables and 22% to seasonal fruits. This was followed by mixed activities at 26% and the production of by-products at 22% (63 different types). To a lesser extent, livestock and other activities accounted for 12% and 8%, respectively. Possible nutrient sources were identified such as pumpkins and sweet potatoes (vitamin A), chard and angola pumpkin (vitamin E), egg yolk, beef and blood sausage (iron), cheese, ricotta, arugula and chard (calcium), egg (vitamin D).

Conclusion: it is concluded that the region has a variety of local products as primary sources of critical nutrients for direct consumption and technological development of possible formulations.