Update from farms in Pinar Del Rio

[El Presidente]

 

THis article is not purely about tobacco but it gives you an insight as to  where the farmers (and country) are at today. 

Pinar del Río: planting is done in San Luis

By Dainarys Campos Montesino

 

 November 16, 2023

 

in Pinar del Río

 

 

In the CPA Carlos Lóriga they run the tobacco campaign and the various crops campaign at the same time Photo/Dainarys Campos Montesino

 

Despite the damage caused by the rains of tropical storm Idalia, especially in banana crops, and in the midst of adverse situations with resources, obstacles with credits due to the cash deficit and high prices of inputs , San Luis producers return greenery to their lands.

This was confirmed in a tour of agricultural areas of that territory, led by Yamilé Ramos Cordero, first secretary of the Party in the province, and Eumelín González Sánchez, governor of Pinar del Río, who were also interested in the progress of the tobacco campaign. in one of the largest producers of the leaf.

WITH AN EYE ON THE ECONOMY

Reinier Aguilar Travieso has planted black tobacco his entire life; However, Hurricane Ian uprooted the two nursing homes that he had had since his grandfather's time. That was one of the reasons for joining the Virginia project this time, and also because it implies greater ease when curing the blade and dispenses with the labor force for stringing.

In the area known as Luengo, in addition to the various crops he grows, such as rice, sweet potato, cassava, beans and corn, he ventures into bananas for the first time, something that was impossible for him previously, when black tobacco took up almost all of his time. . He recognizes that this is once again a difficult campaign, but that he hopes to obtain maximum returns.

When exchanging with the provincial authorities, he referred to the fact that an analysis should be made of the cost sheet of some products, such as beans, and the price at which farmers are paid for their production, taking into account the high value of inputs and seed.

In this regard, Leobaldo Crespo Arias, producer at CCS Mariana Grajales, believes that high food prices will only be lowered when there is production, which is why it is essential to find a way to increase crops and agree on attractive contracts for both parties that then they do not have an impact on the population.

This young man cleared 62 hectares of land in the area known as Buena Aroma, and all his productions, which include various crops and tobacco, are contracted to the San Luis Tobacco Collection and Processing Company and the Territory's Seed Company.

“The weather so far is perfect for tobacco. "The farmer who misses the opportunity to plant in this month has almost lost the year."

San Luis has a plan for 2,270 hectares contemplated in the plan for the 2023-2024 campaign, of which 240 are covered, 1,920 are sunny, and around 100 are included in the Virginia project.

In the areas of the Virginia project, progress is being made in shearing the seedlings to begin planting Photo/Dainarys Campos Montesino

THE BANANA IS BACK TO DRAWN

The Idalia rains, at the end of last August, devastated more than 25 hectares of bananas in San Luis, especially in the Palmar Amarillo agricultural development area, located in the Buenavista Popular Council.

During the tour of several areas in the Tirado area, the main authorities of the province shared with several farmers that under the extra-dense planting system they are recovering banana crops that will not only contribute to municipal supply, but also to prioritized assistance programs.

Osvaldo Hernández López (Pepe), associated with the CCS Máximo Lugo and one of the largest pepper producers in the area, this year has focused on bananas, he already has 4,000 plants in advance and hopes to plant a thousand more.

After training in the province of Mayabeque, many producers in Tirado plant bananas under the extra-dense system Photo/Dainarys Campos Montesino

“This system gives very good results, but I am also very “chemical” and I take good care of it, so that the yields are what are really expected,” he said.

But despite the will and sacrifice, many of the farmers encounter obstacles to advancing their crops. Such is the case of Frank José Ortega Hernández, who finds it very difficult to accelerate some cultural tasks and services due to the limited workforce and lack of cash to pay for it.

“I am diabetic and hypertensive, and since six in the morning I have been 'killing myself'. There are days when I cannot even feed myself as my condition requires because I do not have money to buy what I need, much less to pay day laborers, all because I cannot access bank loans.”

In addition to the complex situation with cash, Ramos Cordero called for an evaluation to be carried out with the relevant entities and together to try to resolve problems of this type, which today prevent farmers from advancing in the different stages of the campaign.

Today, in the Tirado area, some producers incorporate the planting of tobacco, to increase their profits and in some way also compensate for the expenses that the production of various crops entails.

A CPA THAT CAN

Since 1998 Dianelys Álvarez has worked in one of the seedbed areas of the Carlos Lóriga CPA. Although tobacco has always brought a plus in salary, she, like the rest of the women who work there, now perceive a notable change in their economy, as they have earned up to 70,000 CUP and 2,000 MLC in one campaign. .

This is one of the 12 areas of the 43 hectares dedicated to tobacco cultivation in the structure. According to Leoncio Torres Cabrera, its president, they began planting on November 2nd and already have more than 800 irrigated beds, 300 of them of the Habana '92 variety and the rest of Corojo 2012.

"We must reach 57 percent of the plan in November, to plant 15 hectares in December and conclude in January without problems. In addition, we have recovered nine healing houses and the three that were missing are already started," said Torres Cabrera.

Of the CPA's total 82 hectares, 46 are dedicated to planting various crops, especially beans, corn, cassava, sweet potato, cabbage, cucumber and beans, products that are already planted, so they do not foresee any difficulties in completing the campaign. cold at the end of February.

“For our part, we have no problems guaranteeing food for workers, associates and contributing to the supply of the municipality of San Luis. For us it is very important to carry out the cold and tobacco campaigns at the same time,” he added.

In the midst of so many difficulties, San Luis producers maintain the will to plant, the vital thing will be to ensure that so much effort and sacrifice is translated, later, into food for the people.