Havana, January 12 (RHC)-- Cuba hopes to produce more than 311,000 tons of rice by the end of the current year, thanks to increased agricultural yields and the introduction of new technologies, according to a report in this morning's edition of Granma newspaper.

Lazaro Diaz, director of the Rice Technology Division, an entity attached to the Ministry of Agriculture, said that in 2018 rice production exceeded the planned goal of 283,000 tons. Producers turned out 300,000 tons.

Despite the decrease in grain volumes in 2015 as a result of a prolonged drought, what was achieved last year and what is planned for 2019, consolidate the upward trend that began in 2016, estimated Diaz.

The comprehensive program for the development of this crop in Cuba began in 2010 with a national average of 3.1 tons per hectare and once the final balance of 2018 is made, authorities expect to have reached 4.19 tons per hectare.

For the next campaign, we are planning 4.39, however, potential assessments throughout the country support the hope of making the leap to five tons per hectare, the official added.

Cuba, which in 2010 produced 86,000 tons of rice has a strategic projection that, according to Diaz, should exceed five tons per hectare by 2023.