FAO

Havana, June 22 (RHC) - The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), together with the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAG) of Cuba, is contributing to the strengthening of food production in the western part of the island, according to an official statement released on Thursday.

The note specifies plans for the westernmost province of the country, Pinar del Río, in support of the recovery from Hurricane Ian.

To this end, the FAO with the support of the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) facilitated the delivery of 514 kilograms (kg) of seeds of different crops (radish, Spanish and Chinese chard, chives, beetroot, and carrot), from which a production of three thousand and 68 tons was obtained.

This contribution benefits a population of 327,385 people in that western territory, the message specified.

Likewise, 98 rolls of mesh, 12 goat ropes for semi-protected crops, six thousand seedling trays, 78 rolls of raffia, and 15,000 modules for holding cultivation houses and positions were delivered.

The director of the Seed Base Business Unit in Pinar del Rio, Jorge Luis Díaz, thanked the FAO for this donation aimed at productive units in the most affected municipalities (Pinar del Río, Los Palacios, Consolación del Sur, San Luis, San Juan y Martínez, Viñales y La Palma).

He recognized the germination quality of the seeds, which has a significant impact on high production levels.

On September 27, 2022, with a diameter of 600 kilometers, that meteorological phenomenon struck the western provinces of Cuba for more than seven hours, causing serious damage in sectors such as housing, agriculture, electric, telephone, and hydraulic services, the FAO message recalls. (Source: PL)