Havana, September 12 (RHC) -- Cuba has set a target to raise its sugar production by 15-20 percent during its new harvest year over its output of 1.6 million tons in the previous year, an official said Thursday.

About 50 mills are to join the campaign, which starts from the third week of November, two more mills than that of last year, said Liobel Perez, a specialist from the state-owned entrepreneurial group AZCUBA.

The annual harvest is expected to end in early May when the rainy season begins and diminishes the yield.

The sugar sector failed to attain its goal of production last year due to rains and hot temperatures, according to AZCUBA's data.

Cuba has taken a series of measures to increase the production of sugar, the economic engine for the Caribbean country, including replacing old machinery with new ones, diversifying sugar-related products, and attracting foreign investment.