Cuban Farmers Urged to Increase their Productive Potential

A call for an increase in theirproductive potential was made to farmers by Orlando Lugo Fonte,President of Cuba’s National Small Farmers Association, whileacknowledging their advances.

At a meeting with leaders and members of this sector, Lugo Fonte said that there are still resources to exploit , using as an example the importance of bringing farmers closer to the end results of theirproduction.

Lugo praised the effort made this year with the tomato harvest, whichhas allowed the country to process and produce over 100,000 metric tonsof tomato pastes.

With regard to cattle raising, the head of the association, pointed outthat the birth rate has reached 58 percent and should increase to 80,which would translate to more milk per cow, and more savings for theCuban economy (approximately 40 million dollars over the past year) dueto the high prices of powdered milk in the international market.

Lugo Fonte also encouraged them to increase the use of organicfertilizers since the prices of the inorganic ones are around a thousanddollars per ton.

He also added that all cooperatives should produce their own rice, beans andother food products to become self-sufficient without neglecting their sales commitments to the government.

(Necesario elevar el potencial productivo de los campesinos)