Holguín promotes cultivation of resilient species
- Written by Redacción ¡ahora!
- Published in Holguin
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Photo: Elder Leyva
An agricultural program aimed at developing resilient species is part of the initiatives of Tarea Vida (Task Life), the Cuban state plan to address climate change in the province of Holguín, designed to guarantee food sovereignty in the face of this global scenario.
Martha Mouso Batista, a specialist from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, highlighted that this project includes 57 plantations across 88 production entities, where genetic improvement strategies are being implemented to achieve greater adaptability to the intense drought.
She noted that varieties of grains and root vegetables more resistant to soil aridity and lack of rainfall have been obtained, including the I-B-S-16 sweet potato clone and the Paradiso organic potato, with a yield of 16 tons per hectare.
Mouso Batista indicated that, over the last five years, soil recovery measures have also been implemented on terraces used for rice cultivation in the municipality of Mayarí.
This initiative involves cooperatives in the territories of Banes, Rafael Freyre, Mayarí, and Calixto García, where they are experimenting with planting varieties strengthened through the use of science and innovation.
As part of the actions of Task Life (Tarea Vida), economic incentives are also being provided to more than 100 producers in the mountainous region for promoting agroecological practices in harmony with the environment.
Recent years have shown an increase in the average annual temperature, the occurrence of extreme weather events, and saltwater intrusion. Therefore, Cuba's plan includes mitigating these effects in more than 70 municipalities located along the coast.
The procedures include relocating buildings situated on sand dunes, rebuilding homes away from hazardous areas, biodiversity studies and economic validation of ecosystems, water resource management, and policies aimed at ensuring food sovereignty. (Source: ACN)
