José Ramón Machado Ventura, second secretary of the Party Central Committee, addressed the National Association of Small Farmers (ANAP) IX Plenum, on the last day of the gathering, yesterday, and among other issues, insisted on the urgency of sharing positive experiences to increase and diversify production.
He expressed agreement with participants who noted the existence of much untapped agricultural potential, and emphasized the need to address organizational shortcomings and eliminate bureaucratic obstacles to increasing exports.
He insisted that agricultural development must continue under all circumstances, with unity of action, reiterating comments by ANAP President Rafael Santiesteban Pozo, who said that small farmers must move from diagnoses to action.
Machado Ventura referred to the government priority of developing food self-sufficiency at the municipal level and reducing the amount of idle land, to ensure more food for the population.
Party Political Bureau members Salvador Valdés Mesa Party, first vice-president of the Councils of State and Ministers, and Teresa Amarelle, secretary general of the Federation of Cuban Women, as well as José Ramón Monteagudo Ruiz, from the Party Secretariat, were among the leaders present at the Plenum, where the province of Granma was recognized for its accomplishments and will be the site of upcoming May 17 activities, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the proclamation of the Law of Agrarian Reform in La Plata.
Outstanding accomplishments in Cienfuegos, Artemisa, Mayabeque, Villa Clara, Matanzas and Camagüey were highlighted and Santiago de Cuba was also recognized.
(Granma)