Veggies From Mexico Explores CIAD Culiacán’s Scientific Projects for the Agricultural Industry in Sinaloa
Culiacán, Sinaloa – In early April, members of the Veggies from Mexico team embarked on a guided tour of the Center for Research in Food and Development (CIAD) at the Culiacán Regional Coordination. The purpose was to gain insights into ongoing scientific projects and identify collaborative opportunities that benefit sustainable practices from farm to table, as well as enhance safety and social responsibility.
The center’s mission is to generate and disseminate scientific and technological knowledge through both basic and applied research initiatives. These projects span various domains, including horticulture, food safety, biostatistics, biotechnology, and food technology.
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During our visit, Libia Limón Castro, a Master in International Business from the Liaison Office, graciously guided us through the different research areas. Upon arrival, we received a warm welcome from Dr. Maria Dolores Muy Rangel, Head of the Regional Coordination at CIAD, along with Dr. José Basilio Heredia from the Nutraceuticals Laboratory and Dr. Osvaldo López Cuevas from the LANIIA laboratory. Throughout the tour, we engaged in discussions with experts such as Dr. Juan Daniel Lira Morales (Microbiology Laboratory), Dr. Nayely Leyva Lopez (Nutraceuticals Laboratory), Dr. Claudia Olmeda Rubio and Dr. Pedro de Jesus Bastidas Bastidas (Pesticides Laboratory), Dr. Raymundo S. Garcia Estrada (Phytopathology Laboratory), Dr. Eduardo Sanchez Valdez (Integral Nutritional Analysis Laboratory), Dr. Werner (Plant Nutrition Laboratory), Dr. Rosalba Contreras Martinez (Postharvest Quality Laboratory), and Dr. Perla Marysol Uriarte Aceves (Bioresources Laboratory).
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CIAD Culiacán’s commitment to advancing agricultural knowledge underscores its pivotal role in shaping a sustainable and responsible future for Sinaloa’s agricultural industry.
During our tour, we had the opportunity to visit the facilities and laboratories where several projects in the following research areas are conducted:
1. Food Technology and Biotechnology:
Focuses on post-harvest technology for fruits, vegetables, and grains. The goal is to enhance the value of foods by studying their nutritional composition, bioactive properties, nutraceuticals, and their functionality for medicinal and bioenergetic purposes. Additionally, molecular-level studies of organisms relevant to Mexico’s agri-food industry are explored.
2. Food Safety:
This area addresses food safety throughout the entire production chain, from the field to final consumption. It involves evaluating critical contamination points using a systematic approach that includes assessment, diagnosis, and identification of physical, chemical, and biological contaminants. Strategies to mitigate risks are developed using traditional and molecular microbiology techniques, cell culture, and liquid, gas, and mass-mass chromatography.
3. Horticulture
Agricultural productivity systems are evaluated, considering both traditional and protected agriculture techniques. Topics covered include fertigation, agronomic management, bioregulator usage, postharvest management, and plant protection. The evaluation encompasses new hybrids, integrated or biological pest and disease management alternatives, substrates, traditional and protected production systems, crop phenology, quality, and postharvest life.
4. Biostatistics:
Research activities and services related to climate and environmental pollution are explored. The center investigates their impact on agricultural and livestock activities and actively participates in public and private sector projects.
We firmly believe that the collaboration between the research center and Veggies From Mexico will significantly benefit the promotion of research projects, ultimately contributing to the development of Sinaloa’s agricultural industry.
