Usufructuary Iván Barbán Ochoa

In the arms of many young people, driven by passion and dignity, is also the guarantee of food for the residents of the province of Las Tunas. And even if many take their things and abandon the rural areas, they are still there, determined to build a better future.

Jobabo, Las Tunas.- Such is the case of the usufructuary Iván Barbán Ochoa, who is in charge of some 65 very fertile hectares, located in the community of Palmarito and belonging to the Melanio Ortiz base business unit, in the municipality of Jobabo.

He has plenty of desire to make the land prosper, through constant work and the application of different alternatives in the face of the material limitations of these times. He does this with his brother, wife, and mother, and sometimes with the help of the casual laborers they hire.

"Many young people leave the fields behind, but it is not difficult to stay when you love the land and what you do every day. Traditionally my family has lived there, in those quiet places where you find peace, contentment, and the food you need."

"I studied other things and I could go to the city. However, I don't want to because I like this life, especially the agricultural part. I am happy here. Besides, I am one of the most advanced producers in Las Tunas’ territory and I can't give up because I commit to my family and the people."

His farm abounds with the will to produce, defying drought, with the guarantee of animal feed, and the incorporation of international projects such as IRES, which promotes the rehabilitation of productive landscapes and the resilience of households and rural communities in the face of climate change.

"In total, I manage about 67 hectares and of that, I dedicate 20 to livestock. That is the part that is incorporated into IRES, with the development of two silvopastoral modules that combine the planting of precious woods with the raising of small and large livestock.

"I know that I will be able to increase milk and meat production because the lack of rainfall has affected the grass for the animals. Now, it will improve. However, I am not satisfied and I am experimenting with King Grass, sugarcane, tithonia, and mulberry."

Despite his youth, Iván has put in many hours of work to transform the environment and produce the necessary food. He says he is not afraid of the obstacles that appear every day and challenges himself to transform the lands for the benefit of all.

"Here we have a good well and for irrigation, we have a Fregat central pivot machine. So there are good yields of various crops, especially maize, pumpkin, beans, and sweet potatoes. There are also guava, bananas, and other crops.

For the crops to grow healthily, he not only ensures the availability of water but also applies organic matter and systematically rotates them. He incorporates the clones that are best suited to his soils and undertakes other actions, all aimed at making the land bear more fruit.