Cuba's Agricultural Imports Drop in 2005
Havana, Jan 4. - Cuba was able to reduce imports of farm products in 2005 having secured much needed seed for the urban agricultural system last year.
Adolfo Rodriguez, in charge of the Cuban urban agricultural program, said that by obtaining 6.5 tons of lettuce seeds, 2.3 of Chinese chard and 1.3 tons of radish seeds, the country could save more than half a million dollars.
Rodriguez pointed out that 176 farms have been established throughout the country devoted to the production of seeds of 40 varieties of 22 kinds of vegetables.
The official explained that chemical fertilizers have been substituted by ecological organic preparations made on the island. The organic products have a similar effectiveness and cause no harm to the environment, he said.
He added that despite the effects of hurricanes on agriculture last year and the severe drought in the eastern part of the country, the island met its production plans for 2005 thanks to the different measures taken to offset the natural phenomena.Some 3,010 urban agricultural gardens have been created in the island. According to the expert another 2,800 additional vegetable farms are expected to be set up in 2006, in areas previously used for growing sugar cane.
Havana, Jan 4. - Cuba was able to reduce imports of farm products in 2005 having secured much needed seed for the urban agricultural system last year.
Adolfo Rodriguez, in charge of the Cuban urban agricultural program, said that by obtaining 6.5 tons of lettuce seeds, 2.3 of Chinese chard and 1.3 tons of radish seeds, the country could save more than half a million dollars.
Rodriguez pointed out that 176 farms have been established throughout the country devoted to the production of seeds of 40 varieties of 22 kinds of vegetables.
The official explained that chemical fertilizers have been substituted by ecological organic preparations made on the island. The organic products have a similar effectiveness and cause no harm to the environment, he said.
He added that despite the effects of hurricanes on agriculture last year and the severe drought in the eastern part of the country, the island met its production plans for 2005 thanks to the different measures taken to offset the natural phenomena.Some 3,010 urban agricultural gardens have been created in the island. According to the expert another 2,800 additional vegetable farms are expected to be set up in 2006, in areas previously used for growing sugar cane.
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