Argentina: Maqui, the super berry that INTA seeks to grow

Maqui is a small berry with an intense violent color with nutritional and health-beneficial properties that make it a superfood. This species, native to Patagonia, is only found in Chile and in the mountain range in southern Argentina, which is why INTA Bariloche researchers seek to preserve and domesticate the crop to ensure sustainable production in the region. It is a kind of native berry that has a cultural and sacred value for the native peoples of the area. For hundreds of years, this fruit has been used in a traditional way for the benefits it provides, such as its high content of vitamin C and polyphenols and its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory power. “In Chile, the increase in the maqui harvest from natural populations is causing the loss of plants and forest areas where plants with fruits are no longer found. Therefore, taking into account that there is more and more demand, from INTA we want to anticipate this scenario and preserve this natural resource of our ...