Sago as human food. Its use in school feeding in Sagua de Tánamo

Abstract

The main objective of the project is the cultivation of Maranta arundinacea Linn (Sago) in the municipality of Sagua de Tánamo as an alternative for human food. Based on the results of the research conducted in Holguín, from January to December 2023, it was confirmed that Sago starch contains nutrients that are essential for various bodily functions, including bone health and blood pressure regulation. The main outcomes of the project aim to develop a strategy to promote the plant as a prioritized crop, design a mini-industry for starch production, supported by mills with sieves, and the preparation of products by the Municipal Food Industry, as a supplement to the diet of the population and the network of internal and external school centers. Sago starch will be obtained as a product for the domestic market, which will allow for the substitution of imports of flours and cereals, as well as the mix for celiac patients, since it is gluten-free. The research employs theoretical, empirical, and mathematical methods that support its development and the possibility of contrasting the scientific results being achieved.