Theirs is a story like others, but seasoned with love and respect, and other ingredients that always take them forward and remind them, constantly, that the journey through life is more pleasant if it is done with the best company.
Las Tunas, Cuba.- The love of Odalis Guerra Rosabal and Melquíades Pablo Nápoles Barba has no limits and neither does their desire-need to be useful, to transform, adapt and grow as a couple, farmers, and human beings. For this reason, they also undertook together their link with the IRES project.
It is a renovating project, which converts knowledge and material resources into the capacity of families to adapt to climate change and achieve the rehabilitation of productive landscapes, while generating other benefits, such as the possible production of food.
She requested land in usufruct from Agricultural Company and received a little more than 27 hectares, which were completely infested with sickle bush. Of that total, she already has 10 cleared and, more than that, in production.
"If the land is left empty, the sickle bush will sprout again. So that this does not happen, we are planting cassava and with what we harvest, we will cover the expenses, because the cleaning is very expensive. When everything is clean, I will start with the planting that is part of the project."
"I joined a 20-hectare module to plant plantains and cedar trees. I have high expectations for IRES because it gives us a very big future vision in terms of work and development for us. I believe it will work out and I will do my part."
She is a proud woman, aware of her strengths and happy that this initiative took her into account, because of her willingness to work for greater results.
"If you have a goal, you have to achieve it. That is why I always tell women to think big because we can undertake immense challenges. I also assure them that men, no matter how strong they are, are not capable of advancing without our presence by their side."
Melquíades is aware of this, dreaming awake and asleep, and then putting these ideas into practice. One example is his current plan: a two-story log cabin. Upstairs will be the bedroom, with glass windows so that the corrals of the big cattle and also the pigs, goats, and rams can be seen. Downstairs will cater to visitors.
"I have always been a working man. I dedicate my private land to various crops. They are four hectares and are planted with banana, cassava, corn, and sugar cane for the animals in the house."
"I was given 27 hectares in usufruct and they are the ones I will dedicate to IRES. My module consists of raising large and small cattle and planting their food. I intend to start with pasture; but I will have fields of tithonia, mulberry, and moringa, very important for their nutrition."
"I have 82 cattle and 102 goats and rams, plus seven piglets that are already pregnant and the stallion. I have been buying cattle to improve the animal population and be able to deliver more milk. Now I collect between 36 and 38 liters per day and for the year I have a plan of 13,000 liters."
Odalis and Melquíades are waiting for the material resources they will receive from the project, especially the irrigation systems. But they are not wasting time and are looking for alternatives, since there is enough water available in the surrounding area, including springs.
In the coming months, their dreams are to plant two fields of aloe vera and sago, products that could be marketed abroad. They also intend to make their environment more welcoming, with the premise that the passion they have for each other can be multiplied in their forests, animals, and plants, because -as the poet said- only love begets wonder.
