Ciego de Avila, February 27 (RHC)-- Former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited the central-eastern Cuban province of Ciego de Avila as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration with the island in the agricultural sector.

Accompanied by Armed Forces Minister, Army Corps General Leopoldo Cintra Frias and other officials, Lula toured areas of the local enterprise Cubasoy, set up in 2008 with Brazilian support. Company director Jorge Lavao Sanchez said that Brazil provided the entity with modern equipment, particularly for the watering of soy, corn and bean plantations.

Lula said that his visit to the company supports local efforts to increase soybean yield per hectare, since that crop contributes high-protein oil and is used both human nutrition and for animal feed. The distinguished visitor said that Brazilian experts are willing to share their experience and train Cuban young producers in the culture of soybean, while a group of advisors on soybean cultivation can also come to the island to offer a one-year training course.

Cuba's Agriculture Minister Gustavo Rodriguez explained that Cuba already cultivates six varieties of soybean, though local producers must still improve cultivation techniques.