Abstract

The Costa Rican onion sector is a dynamic one, supported by an institutional framework dedicated to research and extension, such as the National Onion Programme from the Agriculture and Livestock Ministry-MAG, the Local Extension Agencies and the Research and Technology Transference Programme (PITTA-cebolla). The fresh onion commercialization faces challenges; therefore, this project proposed to evaluate the value adding process for three onion (Allium cepa) materials, cultivated in the northern zone of the Central-Oriental Region of Costa Rica. E515, Predator y Alvara materials were assessed and compared under two main variables for value adding product development: processing yield and time. The Predator and E515 onions showed the higher yields and lesser processing times in comparison to the evaluated materials. Results were transferred to beneficiaries within the focus region through a workshop including a theory session and three practices at the Agro-Industry Pilot Plant at TEC. Further research is suggested to validate this first outcomes, and specific feasibility studies are encouraged for future entrepreneurship initiatives.

Keywords: Value adding; agroindustry; food; minimal procesing; food processing