The work is called 'Alternatives to the use of fish by-products in agribusiness' Research Group in Byproduct, Waste and Waste Agroindustriales Utilization.

The National Planning Department DNP is organizing a national contest called ‘making inroads into the SGR’ and the project is being nominated for Innovation category.

According to José Luis Hoyos Concha, Professor of the School of Agricultural Sciences and director of the group, the project is funded by the General Royal System with 8 billion pesos and is executed by the Alma Mater and the Regional Centre for Productivity and innovation of Cauca - Crepic.

"The idea was born in 2007 when we entered the fish production chain and we found a problem in the reservoir of the Salvajina, where the surplus parts from the transformation process: viscera, skin, scales and bones are managed in an improperly manner" he said.

With alliance between the -Crepic-Unicauca, through the research group, proposed solutions are being placed.  The first initiative was presented to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2008 with very good results in the production of wheat flour using tilapia leftovers

"The project has four components: innovation on how to get the final products and its nutritional management in the Cauca; approach of a Technology Development Center as an interface for the transfer of technology to the business sector; construction of a plant for concentrates in Silvia; and social appropriation of knowledge by the community", he added.

The project benefits about 425 families and more than 100 farms between trout and tilapia growers in Silvia, Morales and Suarez, it is nominated by the DNP among the 165 projects were submitted nationwide.

"The DNP highlights on his first visit appreciation and knowledge existing project by the communities, organizations and local governments which technology transfer is strengthened, the appropriation of knowledge and its permanence in time," said the teacher.

It's already designed a prospective study for the 2032 with a doctorate will allow research to continue betting on Technology Development Center to be built at the University of Cauca and from where will stick across different sectors.

"The impact is very large, not only for farmers and their families but also for the more than 45 professionals that are part of a research project because it becomes a process of continuous training and life changing," said the professor.

 

For more information, please contact:

School of Agricultural Sciences
Phone: 8245979