The fostering of rice cultivation on two hectares, with the aim of substituting imports and contributing to territorial self-sufficiency, is the purpose of the farmers of the Guabineyón 4 Basic Unit of Cooperative Production (UBPC).
Puerto Padre, Las Tunas.- In that area, they plan to harvest around 50 quintals of grain suitable for consumption; and according to the productive result, to extend the sowings, which are being carried out for the first time in the entity.
Welmis Mustelier Arévalo, in charge of the rice activity there, ensures that the use of organic matter and biological media, created in the UBPC itself, guarantees the vitality of the crop, as well as the fight against pests, given the lack of fertilizers and insecticides.
Likewise, since the second half of the previous year, they have been growing sesame, which averages 20 liters of oil per quintal; so far they have obtained a total production of 400 liters. "We sold part of that amount at the end of the year fair and to the workers; another portion is being used in the unit's dining room," engineer Arturo Proenza García, president of this enclave, said and confirmed that it is an excellent quality oil.
In the expansion of other production lines, they introduce the fry breeding in their own reservoir and create conditions for raising birds. The livestock module exhibits remarkable results in the reproduction of sheep, rabbits, pigs, and other species, destined for collective and territorial self-sufficiency.
Proenza García pointed out that in view of the need to export and reduce imports for the acquisition of freely convertible currency to invest in high-tech equipment and supplies, areas are prepared for the raising of buffalo.
At the moment, the 36 hectares of various crops are planted with tomato, okra, plantain and red beans, the latter among the productions close to harvest.
Although the workers are immersed in the guarantee of food for the territory and diversify their tasks in order to increase productivity and efficiency, they stand out in their main production: sugarcane, with a yield of 52 tons per hectare, among the best indexes in the municipality.
Some 32 thousand tons of excellent quality cane are ready to be delivered to the Antonio Guiteras sugar mill in this harvest, and they aspire to be ratified as National Vanguard, a condition they hold for three consecutive years.
Greater commitment to the sugar harvest and the production of food for the people motivates the collective of this cooperative, an example of good work in the north of Las Tunas.
