When the rice grows…is because it is recoved

By: Ernesto Pantaleón Medina / Television Camagüey

For any housewife or kitchen chef, when the rice “ grows” means that in the cooking process the grain size increases, what satisfies most of those who consume this food.

However, in terms of the agriculture, the growth means to increase the areas dedicated to the seed, cultivation and harvests of the cereal, main base of the diet of the Cubans, as well as it is of many other populations of the world, and not only in Asia, as some they believe.

In the years of the called “Special Period” the areas that were devoted to the rice in Camagüey, located to the south of the county, in low floors very near the coast, decreased sensibly, due to the economic restrictions that took at near levels to zero the fuels for the seed and the watering of herbicides and fertilizers with which such extensions were assisted (thousands of hectares) and that were applied in it biggest part by means of airplanes.

The own crop, very automated, suffered severe affectations for concept of lacks of replacements, lubricant and petroleum.

However, in spite of the blockade and of the economic crisis that damage the agricultural development of the country without doubts, a recovery of the fields is evidenced and for example, for the present year the purpose of the state entity to position, the Agroindustrial Complex “Ruta Invasora”, it is to plant around 9 000 hectares, while with the denominated strategy of “popularization” that is to give small parcels to the population to produce rice, plan to complete some l3 500.

This variant contributed the past 2008 more than 7 000 tons that the company bought to the private sector to process them industrially and then to distribute in the Family Basic Basket or through the markets.

The county of Camagüey has advanced in the employment of appropriate varieties to our agricultural conditions, of floors and climatic. An experimental station applies scientific advances linked directly to the production of the cereal.

It is expected soon, product of arisen agreements of the Bolivarian Alternative for Latin America, an improvement of the industry, specifically in mills and dry whose technology demands renovation. As for the crop means and shot, are already observed in the fields of the combined south of Camagüey of court, and modern tractors.

In summary that against what the sceptic could think, those disbelieved and the pessimists, our rice grows; of course, first in the furrows, and then in the pots.

Recovery is to think, and of course, to act

by: Ernesto Pantaleón Medina / Television Camagüey

Before the last of the two hurricanes that last year whipped with matter it forces to the county of Camagüey, in the Unit of Poultry Beginning belonging to the selfsupply system and several productions of the Rice Complex “Ruta Invasora”, of the south of the territory 27 000 animals existed, and of them some l5 perished 000, while the roofs of all the ships disappeared or they were in very bad state.

But to only some few months of that atmospheric calamity, all the facilities have their complete covers, and this time reinforced with bars of steel soldiers, to resist the strongest winds. The number of birds, on the other hand, already surpasses the l7 000 and the growth continues.

The damage of the meteors was bigger since in this unit the chickens are raised since one day of born up to 42, moment in that move toward the development centers, of agreement with its purpose is already of it feeds or egg-laying, and even the hens of double purpose, more rustic and more resistant, but that they produce a good quantity of postures.

According to Félix Sánchez, the administrator, the reaction of the community went immediate when the strong winds that destroyed the l2 ships taking place with which it counts the center. Only in that way could rescue and to save some l2 000 animals that already grow in different territories.

He adds that it is purpose this year to give l00 000 birds, without counting the well-known species as guinea hen whose raises it is already traditional and whose postures take place in the farm “The paradise”, to about 4 kilometers, since where are taken to the incubation plants. Of these last ones, when being born, those “guineítos” are brought to the beginning center, and after some weeks, they meet with their progenitors. Of this poultry variety you plan this year about 200 000 births.

Pedro, the administrator of “The Paradise”, remembers that when the hurricanes died thousands of birds there, mainly guinea hens, turkeys and egg-laying, but are already under conditions of to assume the new commitments and to grow, until completing the 60 000 animals.

Héctor Hernández Limia, the boss of the Unit of Several Productions that is responsible for among other, the sphere of the seolfsupply of the entity, assures that with people like the 500 workers to who he directs, there is not hurricane that defeats them, and he adds that with people this way, the “Paradise”, it is not so unreachable.

President Raul Castro at Opening Session of NAM Ministerial Meeting

Also attending are Cuban Vice President Esteban Lazo, Vice President of the Cuban Council of Ministers Ricardo Cabrisas and the president of the UN General Assembly Miguel D´Escoto, among other personalities.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez extended the most cordial welcome to all participants during his opening statement at the forum and he stressed Cuba's firm commitment to the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

The forum takes place at Havana's Conventions Center with the participation of 140 delegations, 111 of which represent NAM member nations, 14 have observer status. Also present are representatives of five international organizations and of 10 guest countries.

Following a two-day working session in commissions, the high-level officials prepared the document of the forum, which will be submitted for approval to the foreign ministers of the Third World organization.

The meeting, which winds up on Thursday, is the last one to take place under the mandate of Cuba as NAM Chair before Egypt assumes that responsibility during the 15^th Summit of Heads of State and Government, next July 11-16.