Increased Number of Farmers in Cuba

Santa Clara, May 6. -About 60,000 Cubans began 2009 as agricultural producers, Orlando Lugo Fonte, president of the National Association of Small Farmers (ANAP) told the Cuban News Agency (CNA).

With the work of these persons vast regions that were idle are now in production and effect an increased number of crops of tubercles, vegetables and beans, he added.

Lugo Fonte who is also a member of the Council of State said the work was hard because the areas given out require hard work before planting can start.

He recalled that a year and a half ago Decree Law 259 was put into force allowing granting idle state lands for their exploitation in usufruct.

However, he pointed out, there are still small plots in preparation due to the high degree of infestation in the regions.

Still 50 percent of idle lands in Cuba have not been granted that is why efforts are to encourage new generations an interest in agriculture until all cultivable lands are in production, he added.

More than 1,500 young persons from Villa Clara do agricultural work after acquiring the land that demonstrates the interest for the countryside, explained Neysi Santos.

This territory has a training program for those who begin this kind of work to supply them with the required knowledge for application of science and technology, he concluded.(Prensa Latina)