Agribusiness potential of castor oil (Ricinus communis L.) in Mexico

Abstract

Objective: Describe the agribusiness potential of the castor in Mexico through the collection and analysis of agricultural, industrial, and commercial information that allows decision-making for the formulation of future productive projects generating economic, social, and technological impacts.

Design/methodology/ approach: The research is descriptive with a transactional design. The information was collected on national and international agri-food statistical and documentary information platforms.

Results: In Mexico, different attempts have been made in commercial and research projects related to the cultivation, production, and transformation of castor oil, with not very encouraging results, due to the lack of knowledge in productive, technological, and commercial processes. However, the need for the industrial sector to import oil to produce high-value products is evident.

Limitations/implications: Isolated efforts have been made by each of the actors in the castor agribusiness, which has prevented the sector's consolidation

Findings/conclusions: An intelligent management of agricultural production must be implemented through the establishment of commercial crops with the adoption of basic technological packages applied to each region in particular, with great attention to the availability of planting seed, which should have agronomic potential, use of nutrition and management of pests and diseases, as well as foresee all the cultural tasks of maintenance of the crop and harvesting modality that guarantee yield in the field and quality raw material. Currently, there is a deficit in the castor oil market in the country, which leads to high business prospects and business opportunities.