Until the end of February, the conclusion of the cold season, more than 23,200 hectares (ha) of various crops were planted in the eight municipalities of Las Tunas, which represents an increase compared to the preceding campaign.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- Luis Oro Torres, head of the department of various crops in the provincial delegation of the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAG), told the Cuban News Agency that grains and vegetables were prioritized, mainly cassava, plantain, and sweet potato.

At the same time, the manager added, the planting of corn and beans was favored due to the high demand, and profitability in purchase prices given the poor fuel coverage that affected the province throughout the period.

With about three thousand hectares of sweet potatoes, seven of cassava, and the same number of plantains, Las Tunas intends to increase crop levels and thus meet, to a large extent, the needs of the Law on Food Sovereignty and Food and Nutritional Security as its main task.

In the face of difficulties with irrigation and the lack of agricultural inputs for the treatment of pests, the use of organic materials, animal traction force, more resistant varieties, and self-management of seeds in most cases take root in Las Tunas soils.

During the previous stage, Las Tunas cultivated about 22 thousand hectares; however, this year, with higher figures, better conditions for the spring campaign (March-August) are foreseen, with the concentration of resources in the productive poles and for the stimulation of higher volumes in fruit and vegetable plantations.