Value chain analysis of Chaya (Mayan Spinach) in Guatemala
Chaya is a highly nutritious perennial leafy vegetable native to Mesoamerica. This drought-resistant crop has low production and consumption levels in Guatemala, but has the potential to help agriculture and food systems be more nutritious and resilient. This study analyzed the value chain of chaya...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | Inglés |
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Springer
2020
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/106304 |
| _version_ | 1855536253049503744 |
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| author | Amaya, N. Padulosi, S. Meldrum, G. |
| author_browse | Amaya, N. Meldrum, G. Padulosi, S. |
| author_facet | Amaya, N. Padulosi, S. Meldrum, G. |
| author_sort | Amaya, N. |
| collection | Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace) |
| description | Chaya is a highly nutritious perennial leafy vegetable native to Mesoamerica. This drought-resistant crop has low production and consumption levels in Guatemala, but has the potential to help agriculture and food systems be more nutritious and resilient. This study analyzed the value chain of chaya in Guatemala, and identified bottlenecks and opportunities for its use-enhancement. This research, the first of its kind applied to this crop in Guatemala, combined Rapid Market Appraisal tools. Small-scale chaya production, consumption, and marketing were observed in three focal sites (Guatemala City, Petén, and Dry Corridor). It was observed that producers are not motivated to produce chaya commercially and vendors are unwilling to sell it because of low demand and profitability. One Guatemalan company identified produces nutraceutical chaya products with few sales points in the country and occasionally abroad. Low demand is a primary bottleneck in the value chain due to lack of consumer awareness, changing eating habits, limited recipes, and availability in home-gardens. There is also a reluctance to grow, consume, or sell a crop perceived as a “food of the poor.” Low prices and profitability were other constraints registered. The findings can inform future interventions for enhancing the use of this crop to fight malnutrition. |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | CGSpace106304 |
| institution | CGIAR Consortium |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2020 |
| publishDateRange | 2020 |
| publishDateSort | 2020 |
| publisher | Springer |
| publisherStr | Springer |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | CGSpace1063042025-11-12T05:46:56Z Value chain analysis of Chaya (Mayan Spinach) in Guatemala Amaya, N. Padulosi, S. Meldrum, G. food security income generation markets wild plants nutrition Chaya is a highly nutritious perennial leafy vegetable native to Mesoamerica. This drought-resistant crop has low production and consumption levels in Guatemala, but has the potential to help agriculture and food systems be more nutritious and resilient. This study analyzed the value chain of chaya in Guatemala, and identified bottlenecks and opportunities for its use-enhancement. This research, the first of its kind applied to this crop in Guatemala, combined Rapid Market Appraisal tools. Small-scale chaya production, consumption, and marketing were observed in three focal sites (Guatemala City, Petén, and Dry Corridor). It was observed that producers are not motivated to produce chaya commercially and vendors are unwilling to sell it because of low demand and profitability. One Guatemalan company identified produces nutraceutical chaya products with few sales points in the country and occasionally abroad. Low demand is a primary bottleneck in the value chain due to lack of consumer awareness, changing eating habits, limited recipes, and availability in home-gardens. There is also a reluctance to grow, consume, or sell a crop perceived as a “food of the poor.” Low prices and profitability were other constraints registered. The findings can inform future interventions for enhancing the use of this crop to fight malnutrition. 2020-03 2019-12-20T13:51:44Z 2019-12-20T13:51:44Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/106304 en Open Access application/pdf Springer Amaya, N.; Padulosi, S.; Meldrum, G. (2020) Value chain analysis of Chaya (Mayan Spinach) in Guatemala. Economic Botany 74, p. 100–114. ISSN: 0013-0001 |
| spellingShingle | food security income generation markets wild plants nutrition Amaya, N. Padulosi, S. Meldrum, G. Value chain analysis of Chaya (Mayan Spinach) in Guatemala |
| title | Value chain analysis of Chaya (Mayan Spinach) in Guatemala |
| title_full | Value chain analysis of Chaya (Mayan Spinach) in Guatemala |
| title_fullStr | Value chain analysis of Chaya (Mayan Spinach) in Guatemala |
| title_full_unstemmed | Value chain analysis of Chaya (Mayan Spinach) in Guatemala |
| title_short | Value chain analysis of Chaya (Mayan Spinach) in Guatemala |
| title_sort | value chain analysis of chaya mayan spinach in guatemala |
| topic | food security income generation markets wild plants nutrition |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/106304 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT amayan valuechainanalysisofchayamayanspinachinguatemala AT padulosis valuechainanalysisofchayamayanspinachinguatemala AT meldrumg valuechainanalysisofchayamayanspinachinguatemala |