WFP strengthens drought management in eastern Cuba
- Written by Redacción ¡ahora!
- Published in Holguin
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The project Actúa Diferente, promoted by the World Food Programme (WFP) in eastern Cuba, strengthens drought management to enhance the resilience of local food systems in agricultural and livestock activities.
This plan is developed in municipalities of Holguín, Granma, Guantánamo, Las Tunas, and Santiago de Cuba, aiming to mitigate the impact of climatic dryness in vulnerable areas exposed to prolonged drought periods.
One key strategy includes enhancing hydrometeorological monitoring with agricultural aspects, identifying weaknesses in local food production. This enabled the design of complementary studies to enrich the scientific base and implement actions to reduce damage risks, such as planting drought and pest-resistant varieties, applying organic matter, increasing intercropping, and using live fences.
In livestock management, the project includes planting forage plants for animal feed, reforestation to expand shaded areas, acquiring resistant species, improving breeds, and enlarging grazing zones to reduce overcrowding. These measures optimize animal management and ensure food availability despite water scarcity.
To help farmers access useful information, early warning tools were improved, including climate monitoring bulletins with monthly forecasts, seasonal perspectives, and ten-day supplements to support immediate decision-making in agriculture and livestock production under adverse climate conditions.
The Actúa Diferente project involves multidisciplinary collaboration with government and academic institutions, aligning with national plans like Tarea Vida, focused on climate change adaptation and risk mitigation. Funded by the Korean International Cooperation Agency (Koica), it aims to improve nutrition and local capacities in municipalities in five eastern Cuban provinces. (Source: ACN)
