SYSTEM OF TRACEABILITY IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN OF MALANGA IN VERACRUZ, MEXICO: PROSPECTIVE

Abstract

Background. Taro (Colocasia esculenta L. Schott) is an economical import crop in Actopan, Veracruz, since it is exported to the United States of America (USA) and Canada. In Mexico, there is no regulation to implement traceability systems in agricultural products. Objective. To propose a traceability system in the supply chain of taro produced in Veracruz. Methodology. A questionnaire was designed to obtain information related to the production process; a second questionnaire asked about the packaging information; twenty-four producers and eight packinghouse managers were interviewed. Results and discussion. Producers have been growing taro for 10 years, they do not have any specific planting season and grow the variety Coco. No soil analysis is performed, irrigation is by flooding and the main pest is the mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus). Each producer makes an agreement with a packing house; the company performs the harvesting and then the packaging process. Wooden pallets are used for packaging; each pallet piles up 60 sacks of 18 kg of taro. Implications. The traceability model for the Mexican taro could be adapted to the traditional way of production in Mexico to increase competitiveness. Conclusions. The shipping label contains scarce information about the origin of the product. Links of the supply chain were identified and a traceability model for taro is proposed for first time.