Land rollout in Pinar Del Rio

[El Presidente]

Keep Delivering Lands in Pinar del Rio

Written by Alina Cabrera Domínguez

Thursday, July 30, 2009

In the province of Pinar del Rio have been given more than 47 thousand hectares of land to six thousand people and corporations who have the challenge of making them produce to contribute to feed people, an urgent need before current international economic crisis.

According to authorities on agriculture, most areas are allocated to various crops, livestock and tobacco, and a lower percentage is devoted to fruit trees and cane, among other agricultural items.

It is remarkable the number of women who have received land (334) and the age of applicants between 26 and 35 years, a figure that shows the incorporation of youth from Pinar del Rio to the tasks prioritized by the country's leadership.

After the implementation Decree Law 259 which stipulates the supply of vacant areas for cultivation, six thousand 668 residents in the western portion of Cuba, have shown their interest in qualifying for this legislation to foster the growth of systematic production volumes.

In Vueltabajo there are still many hectares infected with marabu, which need to be put into production in order to contribute to the substitution of food imports from the field, whose market price is very unstable mainly due to the global economic crisis.

The call by President of the Councils of State and Ministers, Comrade Raúl Castro, on July 26, of the need of turning to the land for answers is now an incentive for Pinar del Río producers who possess not few records of agricultural yields areas.

Throughout the country, it has been approved nearly 82 thousand requests for land use, covering about 690 hectares, equivalent to the 39 per cent of arable land idle.

[Colt45]

I realize food production is paramount, but any idea as to how this might impact possible future tobacco production?

Thanks for the read.

[El Presidente]

I realize food production is paramount, but any idea as to how this might impact possible future tobacco production?

Thanks for the read.

Colt, Cuba currently imports 81% of all food. It can't afford it. If there was any issue which symbolizes systemic Governmental failure it is the inability of Cuba to provide for food for its own people in one of the most fertile countries in the world.

When you drive through Pinar (and the rest of Cuba) you are stunned at how much great land lies idle. I don't think this program will have any effect on tobacco production.

[Colt45]

Colt, Cuba currently imports 81% of all food.

With their climate, that is truly amazing.

[Fatcigar]

Keep Delivering Lands in Pinar del Rio

Written by Alina Cabrera Domínguez

Thursday, July 30, 2009

In the province of Pinar del Rio have been given more than 47 thousand hectares of land to six thousand people and corporations who have the challenge of making them produce to contribute to feed people, an urgent need before current international economic crisis.

The call by President of the Councils of State and Ministers, Comrade Raúl Castro, on July 26, of the need of turning to the land for answers is now an incentive for Pinar del Río producers who possess not few records of agricultural yields areas.

This should have been done long time ago. That is what the people signed up for during the Revolution...the opportunity to owe their own piece of land to farm, not just peasant workers for rich landlord all their life! Btw, this is exactly how the Chinese farmland system works, together with asistance & direction by the State in regards to seed purchase, farming technology and harvesting collectively within a commune system.

[Stalebread]

. . . When you drive through Pinar (and the rest of Cuba) you are stunned at how much great land lies idle. . .

What role does water usage and irrigation play in farming in Cuba?

There are places in Africa where flowers are grown -- cut and shipped to Europe as a cash crop. But growing them calls for a lot of water and, consequently, there is (or was) a shortage of drinking water and water for sanitation.

I'm not saying that is a parallel analogy but as water usage becomes more of an issue around the world, I'm wondering what it's like in Cuba.

[Ryan]

It reminds me of the saying about land use in this country, "If the Irish and Dutch switched places, the Dutch would feed the world and the Irish would drown."

[kilroy]

This should have been done long time ago. That is what the people signed up for during the Revolution...the opportunity to owe their own piece of land to farm, not just peasant workers for rich landlord all their life!

Now instead they'll be farming for a broke, totalitarian dictatorship instead.

Btw, this is exactly how the Chinese farmland system works, together with asistance & direction by the State in regards to seed purchase, farming technology and harvesting collectively within a commune system.

:2thumbs:

You forgot about the part where the government tells them what they'll be farming, what they'll make for their crop and what will happen to them if they don't comply. The last time I did research into this... chinese farming 'technology' consisted of iron tools and oxen.

I agree Cuba needs to step up with increasing their own domestic food supply. I can't wait to see what happens when the people more successful with their own 40 acres and a mule try to buy the land of the not successful farmer next door to them to try to increase their productivity, output and (shudder the thought) profit!

Viva la revolution! Death to the capitalist swine pigs!

[El Presidente]

It reminds me of the saying about land use in this country, "If the Irish and Dutch switched places, the Dutch would feed the world and the Irish would drown."

As for water resources it is variable. Cuba has plenty of rainfall but little infrastructure. Fix the water infrastucture and they have enough water for every farmer in every corner of Cuba.