Residents in the community of Villanueva, located in the municipality of Las Tunas, in the vicinity of the old road to Manatí, participate every Saturday in a trade fair of agricultural products that contribute to their food, without having to seek such resources elsewhere.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- This is possible due to the management of the production units settled there, especially the José Santiago Ercilla agricultural production cooperative (CPA), which had a successful year 2020 because they met the main commitments of milk and meat.

Both are the fundamental lines of that entity, although it is also dedicated to various crops, according to its president, Manuel Concepción Morales, who also serves as a delegate of the Constituency 66 of the Popular Council 9.

"We are a livestock cooperative but, historically, we have had 70 hectares of plantations. There are about 30 hectares of fruit trees, because we have a mini-industry; and in the rest, there are other crops planted. In any case, we are working with the purpose of reaching 200 hectares.”

There were good results last calendar and the farmers set broader goals for 2021.

"In 2020 we fulfilled the milk plan. We had to collect about 170 thousand liters and the real one was 188 thousand. Sales to slaughterhouses were one hundred percent of what was expected: 20 tons, about 60 heads.

"For the current year, the plans are larger, and also the will of the collective, to boost food production. 200 thousand liters of milk must be sold to the Dairy Company and 20 tons of meat are expected to be delivered to the slaughterhouse.

"And in various crops, if we receive the help we need from the Agricultural Company, we can deliver about 200 tons."

The mini-industry is also important support for food production in the community despite the fact that it only works at 10 percent of its total capacity.

"When the COVID-19 pandemic began, we started the factory without finishing the repair process it was being subjected to. The boiler is still missing and that prevents increasing production. The unit has the potential to process much more.

"We are making coconut nougat, coconut in syrup, sour orange hulls and soft drinks. We hope that the tomato harvest will begin to start the production of puree."

With good prospects, those farmers are advancing, convinced that it is necessary to work for the people and that they are responsible for feeding the residents of the place.