Asunción, Agencia IP.- An initiative to develop a new functional food that harnesses the complementary nutritional properties of sesame and chia is underway in Paraguay, with support from the National Council of Science and Technology (Conacyt) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

«We aim to create a superfood that can be easily incorporated into daily diets while maintaining its natural nutritional value and offering a pleasant taste,» explained Carlos Octavio Blanco Nägele, manager of the Superfoods Unit at ALPACASA (German-Paraguayan-Canadian S.A.), the company leading the project called Chiamé.

To achieve this, the technical team spent several years testing roasting, grinding, and dehulling processes, with the challenge of preserving the ingredients’ natural oils, fiber, and essential micronutrients. «After validating the formula at an experimental level, we built a new plant equipped with specialized technology to bring Chiamé to industrial scale,» added the manager.

Conacyt invested G. 744,000,000 through the PROINNOVA program, which included purchasing specific machinery and building a new industrial shed. This technological expansion enabled the comprehensive processing of chia and sesame. It significantly impacted the company’s structure, creating over 25 direct jobs across production, quality control, and administration.

The new production line operates in three daily shifts, boosting ALPACASA’s export capacity. Since the start of the project, the company has expanded its product portfolio from two to six varieties. In the past twelve months, it has exported fourteen 40-foot containers to demanding markets such as the United States, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Taiwan, and several South American countries.

«Today, we are selling the ingredients of Chiamé separately while seeking strategic partnerships to position the final product. The international market has responded positively to the concept, but launching a new functional food requires time and significant investment in consumer education,» said Blanco.

Beyond the economic impact, the project also brings important social benefits by integrating local chia and sesame producers into the value chain. Purchasing locally sourced raw materials stimulates rural economies and ensures foreign export currency reaches the country’s interior.

To guarantee the product’s quality and international competitiveness, staff were trained in lab techniques such as acidity measurement, particle size analysis, and oil content control. «The new machinery also meant a learning curve for the production team. Today, we are pioneers in the San Pedro region with this technology,» the executive explained.

Chiamé thus represents a successful example of how research, technological innovation, and institutional support can transform an idea into a concrete opportunity for productive development with global potential.

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