These days, high temperatures are a torment for the people from Las Tunas, even indoors. Going out into the street becomes almost desperate, and upon arrival at the destination, it is a relief for the body to cool the body and feet, drink water, or eat some fruit.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- This is a constant recommendation for the hot season. But in the province of Las Tunas, it is practically impossible for most people to do so because of the high cost of these products on the market, now that the massive mango season is over.

Getting hold of fruit is an Odyssey because there is little availability and, when they do appear, it is a case of "holding on to your pockets". Coconuts, fruit bombs, bananas, plantains, guavas, genips, etc., are traded at appalling prices at both the licensed and illegal counters.

Although there is a program for the recovery of fruit trees in the territory, especially in the communities of La Veguita and San Gregorio, there are no results that satisfy the demand, to the detriment of children, the elderly, pregnant women, diabetics and people with hypertension.

According to the municipal self-sufficiency program, each person should receive an average of three pounds of fruit every month, and given this condition, it is necessary to increase the areas dedicated to these crops in the eight municipalities of Las Tunas, both temporary and permanent species.

However, other alternatives could be applied, taking into account that the Agroforestry Company produces fruit tree seedlings for planting in forestry farms. And on a small scale, in many households, small seedlings can also be obtained for their benefit.

This is one of the aims of the National Movement of Urban, Suburban, and Family Agriculture, which promotes the use of all possible spaces for - among other sub-programs - planting fruit and rescuing little-known but very tasty varieties.

However, there are still a lot of reserves. For years, families living in rural areas had fruit in their backyards. Nobody lacked a lemon tree, a plum tree, or a guava tree. And there were large trees along the roadsides, for anyone who wanted to pick the fruit, and now that experience could be multiplied.

Now that experience could be multiplied, why not plant them along the roadsides and in so many other empty areas? Certainly, they would have no owners, but more would benefit because any of us would go home with our hands full.

In these times, a fruit tree is of great help to families, especially when the midday heat is so intense that the body needs its vitamins and minerals. And not to mention the economic benefit, because in just two or three units a few pesos are invested.