Rural sustainability: Improvement of the industrial process for obtaining products derived from chihua pumpkin seed

Abstract

The achievement of rural sustainability begins with a shift in societal thinking, with a clear objective and a strategy for how to reach it. This research focuses on optimizing methods for obtaining Chihua pumpkin seed (Cucurbita argyrosperma Huber) to foster sustainability and efficiency in a rural context. This indicates that the type of research is applied with a cross-sectional design, considering a population of 277 rural producers from Route 2 of the Sembrando Vida Program in the municipality of Balancán, Tabasco. The current process was diagnosed through interviews and field analysis in rural communities within the Ejidos of Apatzingán, Sacaolas, Cenotes, Capulín, and Ramonal, identifying critical inefficiency points.

Subsequently, processing alternatives were tested, including energy optimization techniques, waste reduction, and improvements in product storage and preservation. Additionally, process engineering principles were applied, and options for partially automating certain critical stages were evaluated. Results show that the proposed approach reduces processing time by 20%, increases final product yield by 15%, and decreases waste by 30%. Furthermore, producers noticed an increase in the quality of derived products, fostering competitiveness within their market segment. These findings suggest that it is possible to implement technologies adapted to rural contexts that not only enhance production but also promote sustainability and community development. The study indicates that improving industrial processes for obtaining Chihua pumpkin seed derivatives represents a promising pathway toward sustainability and competitiveness in the rural sector.