Food production is a priority in the current economic and health crisis that the country is experiencing. It has been for a long time, but given the current situation, it is urgent to turn this awareness into increasing yields and planting areas, to increase the delivery of various crops, vegetables, grains, and fruits to the population.
Las Tunas, Cuba.- Without leaving aside the limitation of resources and the need to get the most out of agricultural yields from planning and diversification, strategies are implemented in this capital municipality to achieve sustainability in the fields.
Yordanis López Martí, municipal delegate for Agriculture in Las Tunas, informed 26 that a group of tasks is being promoted, including the recovery of areas for planting. “To date, more than 24 hectares are already available for various crops while, in some prioritized territories, the planting of permanent crops is being promoted. The Majagual productive pole is an example, where about 38 hectares are already planted and actions are being undertaken at a good pace to clear marabou and reach 100 hectares ready for cultivation by the end of the year.”
On the issue of livestock, "milk deliveries still need to be exceeded, as they are far below the potential of the territory today; however, with the gradual implementation of the 63 measures approved in the country to stimulate the production of food, the plans are increasing.” In the case of beef, more than nine sacrifices of large livestock have been allowed in the provincial capital and the peasantry already perceives the advantages of over compliance with the plans."
Other strategies are also aimed at municipal self-sufficiency as part of the efforts made by agriculture to achieve much-needed food sovereignty. From this approach, "progress has been made in the development of the productive system of the territory, but there is still much to do to achieve the purpose of production increases," López Martí explained.
"In these times of contingency - stressed the agricultural manager - we must achieve greater progress through planning and management of the municipality and, at the same time, enhance its autonomy and support decisions and tasks with more food on the table of the Las Tunas inhabitants."
About the production linkage, Yordanis stated that a broad municipal movement of mini-industries linked to local projects is being developed, which is essential to close cycles in the agricultural production lands itself and increase the added value of food. "The five small industries in this municipality are in operation and, at this time, when the province is experiencing the worst scenario of the new coronavirus, they have contributed a lot to the diet not only of the most affected communities but also of the centers for the confrontation with COVID-19."
Among the priorities are also the work aimed at strengthening the socialist state enterprise. “For this, a group of measures is adopted that will guarantee the improvement and the Ordering Task, not only in the entities but, also, in the production bases. We must train ourselves, eliminate obstacles in food production, without giving room for error and, fundamentally, plan the budget to make our cooperatives prosperous and sustainable", the municipal delegate for Agriculture concluded.
