Manufacturing new products as a rural development strategy. Case of Protected Geographical Indication “Patata de Galicia”

Abstract

This paper describes an applied research project devised for developing vacuum and modified atmosphere packed, and sterilized products made from high quality Galician potato. The project was partly funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (the CAP financial instrument, EAFRD) and the Department of Agriculture of the Regional Government of Galicia (NW Spain). This project was carried out by the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) �Patata de Galicia�, the packaging company Drogueria Agricola S.A. and a research group of the Department of Agricultural Engineering of the University of Santiago de Compostela. It was made a market study and the most interesting products were developed and their manufacturing methods were optimized through series of factorial experiments. Product quality and safety were assured by means of physical, chemical, sensory and microbiological analyses, defining their use by date. The results were explained to the packers bearing the Indication label. This project is remarkable for its implications for rural development, and can be regarded as a successful example of an EAFRD action. It contributes to improve both the competitiveness of the agricultural sector and the quality of life in rural areas, promoting the diversification of the rural economy, thus achieving several objectives of axes 1 and 3 of the EU rural development policy for 2007 to 2013. This collaborative action among a PGI, a private packaging company and a research group of a University contributed to increase product quality and added value, integrate producers and manufacturers, and popularize the techniques used. It also encourages product diversification and adds value to underused resources.