2023-11-25 14:19:00
The Habana Libre Company, based in the once central Caimitense community – about 25 kilometers from the municipal seat – originally had a corporate purpose that was eminently livestock; However, a few years ago it was expanded to the production of various crops, with the interest of multiplying productions and benefits.
Today it has 386 workers in 15 Credit and Services Cooperatives (CCS), an Agricultural Production Cooperative (CPA) and two urban farms, one in Bauta and the other in Caimito, involved in the production of rustic crops (cassava, taro, sweet potato). and banana), vegetables, grains and fruits, products highly requested by the population.
Of the more than 12,500 hectares (ha.) of agricultural land, 3,100 are dedicated to the production of these various crops. And although they fully comply with the established plan, it is still insufficient for the great demand in food, explained the octogenarian connoisseur and passionate about the field Carlos Carvajal Castillo, their production manager.
A factor that limits the increase in the cultivable area is the fact that these lands were used for sugarcane production for many years, which is why they require preparation before being cultivated and there are areas that have not yet been sealed.
At the end of August, they guaranteed the planting of 1009 hectares. in the spring campaign and they have 1,106 planned for the current cold season, of which 200 are beans. In addition, there are another 1,000 occupied fruit orchards.
Despite the difficulties, they devised strategies such as moving and intercropping crops that allow maximum use of the land and make up for fuel shortages. This is what was done with corn and cassava; and the bean was also used as a sanitary barrier.
This logistical mechanism is what has led to the achievement of 103 percent (%) of the production plan –to date–, which annually translates between 2,000 and 2,015 hectares. sown
But not everything is “single and easy”. A factor that is often attenuated when we talk about crops is nature. Carvajal Castillo explains that in this season we must take advantage of the cold fronts, given that it is a dry agricultural land – only 3% with an irrigation system – favored mainly by the rains.
Likewise, modernization has implemented a set of machinery and fuels that is very comfortable and fast, but that the economic crisis has turned like a double-edged metal. In this scenario, the return to the oxen could be a variable. However, there are conditions to create to protect against theft; Furthermore, “bueyero”, comments Carvajal, is not just anyone.
The fundamental projection of Free Havana is to grow in livestock farming, since it has the largest representation, with 2,500 heads of livestock. And they already have 90 breeding buffaloes – five of them breeding and giving milk – on the El Mamey and La Luisa farms; regardless of traditional cattle such as siboney and dairy zebu.
To do this, they work on the rehabilitation of areas covered with weeds and the recovery of dairy farms, such as the case of 48, with around 60 breeding animals and contributes to the company’s dairy production plan. As for beef, from 402.6 tons
The company has grown steadily according to the goal for 2030, so much so that it increased the number of tons of food by 4,000 compared to 2019 – including fruits -, which has been influenced by the land delivery policy.
Carlos Carvajal is known for his experience and has been linked to the field since he was born and later in the once prolific sugar mill. He is of the opinion that the impact on yield due to the lack of fertilizers could be compensated with the amount of areas planted, and his attention.
Consider that, in such a complex scenario for agriculture, what is essential is will. It is not about sowing to achieve a goal, but sowing with conscience.
#Sow #awareness #furrow