Revista de Ingeniería

revinge | eISSN 2011-0049 | ISSN 0121-4993

Engineering challenges in the production of high-quality pineapple in Valle del Cauca region: the case of Bengala Agrícola

No. 47 (2018-07-01)
  • Camilo Franco
    1. Profesor asistente. Departamento de Ingeniería Industrial. Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de los Andes. Contacto: c.franco31@uniandes.edu.co
  • Gustavo Barona
    2. Gerente General de Bengala Agrícola. Contacto: gbarona.corp@agroriocas.com
https://doi.org/10.16924/revinge.47.7

Abstract

In this article we present the case of Bengala Agrícola as an example of innovation and development in the agricultural sector of Valle del Cauca region, which may serve as a new benchmark for agricultural projects in this country. The analysis illustrates how an agricultural project must innovate and compete with quality and efficiency in national and international markets. The Bengala project has developed highly specialized knowledge (across the entire pineapple value chain), steadily producing high-quality pineapple (MD2 variety) in a region where this had never been done before. Following this example, the article presents future lines of work to tackle the different engineering challenges that agriculture still holds for this country, all aimed at continuing to develop an agricultural culture, emphasizing a two-way education process between agricultural producers and consumers.

Keywords: agriculture, quality-value chain, technology, information systems, agricultural culture

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