When I met him, he was among viands for weighing and unfinished reports. His home, surrounded by fruit trees, also works as an office. Thus, with such stubbornness, he learned to move between the plot and the bureau.
My dialogue with this young man of easy words takes place while his dogs Tocolo and Victoria doze at his feet. Further on, a rooster with the intentions of a conqueror sings, perhaps with the purpose of seducing the hens. From the kitchen comes the unmistakable aroma of coffee. Yarima, the wife warns me that "Here it is made in strainer". Then, she brings me a cup with the most popular infusion of peasant homes.
-Aldo, I'm told that your origins are not rural...
Right. What happens is that when my father worked in the Provincial Delegation of Agriculture, I used to go everywhere with him. There I began to link with the field. Years later, when I graduated as an Accounting Technician, I occupied a position there, in the Audit Department. And the relationship with the farmers and their activities increased.
"Then, they proposed me to work as an economist in a Credit and Services Cooperative (CCS), and the links became even closer with the farmers and producers associated with ANAP." By then, the land was beginning to pull me in. One day I decided to request a piece of land to work in. They encouraged me to locate one in the area and I found these three hectares, which were unproductive. "
- And how was the debut in the field for hands without tripe?
Difficult, because the office is not the same as the furrow. But I was determined to challenge the obstacles and overcome them. So, from tiredness to fatigue, and with the help of my wife and other relatives, in about six months we cleaned the whole field of marabou.
"We left standing only 200 guava bushes, almost all very damaged by the lack of attention, I was recommended to demolish them, but I refused. When we eliminate the weeds around them, we pruned and renew the worst, a downpour was enough for them to be reborn. Currently, those guava bushes make a great contribution to our production of fruit trees. "
- Were you a member of the Eliseo Reyes Credit and Services Cooperative for that time?
Yes, I joined as a producer in 2010. I planted grains, vegetables, fruit trees, viands ... And I also raised rams, of which a part was given to the State.Later, I was prepared to be one day the president of the cooperative, until I was approved as president in 2015. The first thing that I set out to do was to consolidate the unity of the associates and to look for young force to quickly obtain results in production.
"At that time, the CCS faced serious economic problems, even though its bank account was blocked by the ONAT because of its debts, we could not do financial operations, but thanks to the productivity in the field and what we extracted from it, in 2016 we unloaded it and put it at the disposal of our projects ".
- And how did the oldest associates of the CCS welcome you?
Well, initially I noticed some reservations in them. I know that it is difficult for a seasoned peasant that a young man comes to tell him what he should do. And more if that young man is not the son of peasants or ran as a child on the furrows. But, after a while, they accepted me and even gave me support.
"Among the associates and producers, there are people over 80 years old, born and raised in this area, I have nourished their wisdom, because, precisely, the results in the work are won by the participation of all.The older ones bring the experience and the young people the initiative."
- How do you face your job as president of the cooperative?
In a CCS every day you clash with different situations that require time, evaluations and decisions. The farmers and the producers want answers and we must give them to them. That transcends the planning of work, because the problems are often new and sometimes very complex.
"But my job is not just bureaucratic, in addition to presiding over the CCS, I take care of my property, I am always attentive to what I am sowing and I am not afraid to get my boots in. Here, moreover, we often do volunteer work on the collective farm or in the land of the associate who needs it."
- And what are the most important items of the cooperative?
We have incorporated productions that did not exist before, such as swine. The growth of fruit trees has been remarkable, especially mango, very common in this area. We want to open a juicer soon and we even project a mini-industry. In addition, 20 of our associates are beekeepers. Today we are the largest producers of honey from Las Tunas. The CCS also produces milk to sell to the industry. Our weakness is the various crops, because the soils around here are not good. But we also show results.
- Do you apply science and technology to the work of the CCS?
Always. I study Agronomy at the University of Las Tunas and what I learn I pass it on to my producers. Although a skilled peasant is an agronomist without title. We have work contracts with experimental pasture and forage stations and with the Local Agricultural Innovation Project. But in the agricultural units more specialists of Higher Level are needed.But in the agricultural units more specialists of Higher Level are needed.On that depends that there is greater production to better face climate change that almost overwhelms us.
- What do you do when you have some free time?
I love to read, especially books about History. I'm finishing one on the life of Army General Raúl Castro Ruz. I also read newspapers, watch television and try to keep updated on what is happening in Cuba and in the world. But what I enjoy the most is being with my family.
"Here I have the same comforts as a young man in the city: cell phone, refrigerator, computer, TV, washing machine ... I've earned it all by working in the field, and in my neighborhoods there are no clubs or restaurants.But if I want, I can go to those places with my wife, because they are close to me. "
- Do you have preferences for some music or for some sport?
I like, above all, peasant music. My favorite singer is the missing Celina González. Our political acts always begin with the famous song "Yo soy el punto cubano" (I am the Cuban point). In sports, I'm a baseball fan. In the last national championship I was going to the Julio Antonio Mella stadium from 11:00 am every time our "Leñadores" played. They played an excellent role.
-What is the most comforting thing in your work as a farmer?
Many things. The main thing is to see the result of what you do. Sowing a plant, its germination, its growth and its fruits is one of the miracles of nature that I appreciate the most. Fulfilling the production and delivery plans is something that brings credibility to the contractors and also contributes to raising self-esteem as a producer. The earth is grateful and gives as much as itreceives. I agree with what Martí said: "If men are worthy then the earth is worthy."
- Do you think the field is a good option for young people?
I'm convinced of that. About 50 boys under 40 years old work with us and they work very well in the economic order. In the CCS's own management there are five, all with great work. I believe that the youth of today have a great commitment ahead, and that is to consolidate the work of the Revolution so that this noble social project will last. In support of that, we will shortly establish in the CCS a committee of the Young Communists League.
- Do you ask the life more than what it has given to you until now?
The human being is unhappy by nature and always sets higher goals. I think that's good. As far as I am concerned, my aspiration is to continue growing as a human being, to better serve my family every day, to be happy with my wife, to become a professional, to give myself the tastes that are within my reach, to drink my morning coffee to face with impetus a new journey and to extract from earth the maximum benefit.
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