Leonardo Martínez López, GAG director of Industries and Marketing, commented on the effort in a meeting with the press revisiting the process that gave life to the 200-some processing facilities for fruit and vegetables, grains, meat and other products, existing today in the country.

Of this total, the 120 mini-plants that handle fruit and vegetables processed 1,387 tons of tomato, during the spring season, and work is advancing with mango, pineapple and guava, which began in May and should be completed in September, he reported.

With a processing capacity of 35,000 tons annually, representing 18% of the agro industrial capacity of the entire GAG system, these mini-industries focus on supplying the local market with jam, juice, coconut, guava and grapefruit sweets, dressings, marinades, spices and condiments, among other products.

Based on the management and integration model developed by the Ceballos Agro industrial Enterprise, which includes the large central plant, 21 mini-industries affiliated with agricultural cooperatives, basic enterprise units (UEB), collaboration projects and other partners, positive results have been achieved as the model is extended to other agro industrial poles, Martínez explained.

Martínez pointed out that Ceballos not only has agricultural strength, but is also a powerful industry, in which 21 million dollars have been injected for development. In addition, most of its affiliated mini-processing plants have been certified for safe food handling and good production practices, while the central facility supports them by providing laboratory, branding and marketing services.

This is how, he reiterated, we have been able to make progress, to the extent possible, supporting other important companies, including the Victoria de Girón, in Jagüey Grande, in the province of Matanzas, which has adopted this production model. The intention has been to link large facilities with smaller ones, although the goal has not been fully achieved, due to both objective and subjective factors, he stated.

The objective is to make better use of available capacity, as well as maintenance services, metrology, laboratories and quality/safety certification, the use of brands, and access to all existing markets inside and outside the country.

Another challenge being addressed, Martínez noted, is the acquisition of technologies that allow for the use of the diverse kinds of packaging available, both Cuban made and imported. In the case of small plants, along with the food processing industry, we have widely introduced, for example, the use of glass bottles, he reported.

Despite the many difficulties that persist and the goals that remain to be met, the executive acknowledged that mini-plants are proving their value in the current context, as a fundamental link providing the agro-industrial balance and flexibility needed by all productive systems; since they are capable of processing small quantities of produce that a large plant cannot efficiently assume, and have the workers needed to make the most of raw material when it is available.

(Taken from Granma)

Speaking on the Mesa Redonda television program, focused on Party efforts giving continuity to agreements reached at its 8th Congress, he recalled that, in the 7th Congress five years ago, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz emphasized the Party’s critical role in the country’s economic development, the struggle for peace and ideological resolve.

A deep analysis of these issues was presented in the Central Report to the 8th Party gathering, which was reiterated in the closing remarks by Central Committee First Secretary and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, who called for strengthening the internal life of the organization to more effectively impact life outside the Party, that is, the economic and social development of the country, closely related to Cubans’ quality of life.

Based on these documents, Morales explained, a process of discussion has begun at all levels of the Party and government, the Union of Young Communists and mass organizations, with the purpose of defining the concrete responsibilities of every member in their areas, to ensure that agreements reached during the Congress are implemented.

Morales noted that, in his opinion, meetings with principal leaders of the organization at different levels have shown that the membership is not waiting for directives. This, he said is a reflection of the necessary changes underway, “Because a Party branch does not have to wait for orders to discuss a problem that is undermining the quality of a service or production of a given item, or one that affects the people.”

He insisted that nothing is alien to the Party, be it food production, housing construction or recreation and summer activities.

He pointed out, “Despite the pandemic, we expect favorable results from the sanitary interventions underway, and by the end of June we will have 20% of the population immunized and, by the end of August, 70%, which, along with continued adherence to hygienic-sanitary measures, will allow for greater opening (of the economy).”

Morales added that both the Secretariat and the Political Bureau have clarified the issues to be analyzed, and at the same time have identified indicators that will be used to evaluate what is accomplished. Party efforts to support implementation of the 63 government measures approved to increase food production, he noted as an example, also include keeping track of how this translates into more food, more vegetables, more milk.
The Party is now focused on giving continuity to agreements reached at its 8th Congress, held in April. Photo: Juvenal Balán

He added that an analysis of the sugar cane program is scheduled to take place shortly, since this season’s results were not good. A better outcome is not expected this year, but the planting of cane for the 2022-2023 harvest must be guaranteed.

Regarding the strengthening of Party work, he mentioned that the Secretariat has proposed to attend meetings of provincial bodies, at least once every three months, and those of local units every six months, without replacing the coordination already in place at these levels.

He emphasized that locals must “increase their militancy, since, although the economic blockade remains intact, what we can achieve also depends on our own efforts.”

Morales emphasized the work of cadres on the basis of our concepts and premises, first of all, the concept of Revolution. Assuming tasks with optimism, confidence and commitment is imperative; getting to the bottom of problems, with sensitivity, a sense of urgency, avoiding carelessness and consolidating a culture of attention to detail and good taste.

The transformation Party work, he stated, is based on another three pillars: use of scientific methods; the updating of communications strategies, with greater visualization of our efforts; and advancing the process of computerization which must reach mass organizations and the Young Communists League, and involve Party schools.

At another point in his remarks, Morales reported that the work of Central Committee commissions focused on ideological and economic activities, as well as science and innovation, is also being studied, and findings will be submitted to the body’s Second Plenum.

THE BATTLE FOR FOOD PRODUCTION

The Party supports the Ministry of Agriculture (Minag), with its ten state enterprise groups and more than 300 enterprises; as well as the Ministry of Food Industry (MINAL) and the Azcuba enterprise group, noted José Ramón Monteagudo Ruiz, Central Committee Secretariat member responsible for agro-alimentary activity, emphasizing that the battle for development of the national economy is decisive to constructing the society we want.

At the 8th Congress, he explained, the First Secretary called for greater pro-activity and mobilization of the country’s energy to meet sustainable development objectives. Among these, the Party considers food sovereignty and security as essential.

This commitment is evidenced by the fact that, of 201 updated policy guidelines, 17 are related to food production and processing. Thirty-three policies have already been approved in this regard. The issue is also prioritized in the National Development Plan through 2030 and, of course, the current socio-economic strategy.

In order to better perform all these tasks, the Central Committee is perfecting its work system, Monteagudo stated and, as a distinctive element, he highlighted the strengthening of leadership bodies and local units; as well as ties with party members, youth, workplaces and a comprehensive approach to issues.

He commented that the Party is now focused on political and ideological support for the 63 measures approved to increase agricultural production, and also prioritizes those intended to strengthen the socialist state enterprise. The Party, he added, must ensure that measures in each arena are implemented as designed, and that workers feel the benefits.

Other important issues include territorial self-sufficiency, developing each locality’s full potential, starting with the cultivation of arable land. In this respect, he reported that more than 2,600,000 hectares of idle land have awarded to farmers across the country, which should have a notable impact on efforts to expand production.

In addition to all this, he noted, is the task of improving the state sugar enterprise group Azcuba, which includes having the company’s active presence in all the country’s 56 sugar mills, improving support to the cane harvest and plantation recovery plans.

THE CHALLENGE OF STRENGTHENING STATE ENTERPRISES

Among the transformations in the internal functioning of the Party which the 8th Party Congress approved, is a new body headed by Félix Duarte Ortega, member of the Central Committee Secretariat, which will focus on support to Industry, Construction, Tourism, Transportation and Services, and include two departments.

One, he explained, is related to the production of goods and services in the country, collaborating with the Ministries of Energy and Mines, Industries, Construction, Tourism, Transportation, Communications and Domestic Commerce, as well as the Institute of Water Resources and the Institute of Physical Planning.

The other department will address political activity in the General Customs of the Republic, 33 Central Enterprise Management Groups (OSDE), and seven trade unions linked to the aforementioned ministries, he said.

“In this department, we have more than 105,000 Party members in 9,068 units across the entire country, and the arena includes approximately 1,150,000 workers, of whom some 750,000 are employed in the state sector,” he specified.

Referring to the challenges the Party faces, Duarte Ortega emphasized the importance of the Secretariat maintaining close ties with provincial and municipal committees, mass organizations and grassroots bodies.

We must work on ensuring that all these political forces, the mass of workers we can count on, play their role in each one of the activities and sectors we assist, he expressed.

“We must also be able to respond to the problems the national economy faces today, which, given the economic blockade and limited availability of financing, material resources and fuel, impose greater challenges on the enterprise system.”

Among the challenges to be met, he asserted, is the strengthening of management by all economic actors, and especially socialist state enterprises. In this task, he argued, the Party plays a fundamental role given its mission of bringing forces together and demanding results, without interfering in the administration of entities.

Concluding the discussion, Roberto Morales Ojeda reported that the holding of accountability assemblies will begin in November and December, continuing into January and February of 2022, starting with discussions within Party district committees and then at the municipal and provincial levels

He noted that the intention is that these meeting conduct an evaluation of what has been done during the period since the last review, above all, to analyze progress in implementation and fulfillment of the ideas, concepts and directives emerging from the Congress.

He added that the objective is to discuss the accountability reports with the entire membership, to ensure that, at the time of the assembly, be it district or provincial, significant debate with broad participation has already taken place.

(Taken from Granma)

The accord was signed during the 21st session of the intergovernmental commission in charge of the Cuba-Venezuela Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement, chaired by Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz and the Bolivarian Republic’s Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez Gómez, who reviewed the challenges facing collaboration in 2021 and progress made on current projects, marked by an adverse political situation and the COVID-19 epidemic.

A new cooperation project was agreed upon to promote the expansion and use of moringa, thitonia, mulberry and other grasses for animal fodder in Venezuela, which includes the exchange of knowledge and production support in areas of agricultural management and agro-industrial transformation to manufacture animal feed.

Cabrisas Ruiz explained that the approved annual cooperation plan is directed toward improving key sectors such as health – with joint efforts to mitigate the effects of the pandemic and undertake actions for the development and application of Cuban vaccines – and to strengthen links in activities related to energy, transportation, education, culture and sports.

These projects, he emphasized, will serve as a foundation for the elaboration of a 2030 Resistance and Development Plan, based on an alignment of Cuba’s National Economic Development Plan through 2030 and Venezuela’s Plan of the Homeland through 2025.

The Venezuelan Vice President highlighted the two countries’ resistance in the face of the blockade and unilateral coercive measures imposed by the U.S. “Cuba-Venezuela cooperation has been essential to the victorious resistance of our peoples, who will not succumb to extortion or coercion, and will continue their path of victory into the future,” she stated.

The delegations, including several ministers from the two countries, reiterated their determination to advance in the improvement and expansion of cooperation in all spheres of development, to overcome the negative effects of the economic persecution that the United States maintains as a matter of policy meant to asphyxiate the two nations.

(Taken from Granma)

A report from that entity also states, as part of the tasks related to that objective, ensuring the training and assignment of the technical personnel to attend the mechanization, irrigation, drainage and water supply activities to the animals.

According to the document, among the main actions, some 1,150 pumping equipment with photovoltaic solar energy were introduced and put into operation, in order to guarantee the provision of this liquid to the animals.

About 15 road brigades were also established and field improvements and irrigation systems for the rice program were implemented.

Other measures are the integration of collaboration projects and donations with the national industry, for the use of the available capacities in the manufacture of agricultural machinery and irrigation, drainage and water supply to the animals.

(Taken from Prensa Latina)

Such a figure will benefit 690,000 hectares of crops, 100,000 more than in 2020, MINAG specified.

The use of bioproducts makes it possible to substitute part of chemical fertilizer and pesticide imports, in which the country spends large sums of foreign currency annually.

According to MINAG’s report, by implementing these strategy, an important contribution is made to protect the environment, so it is well protected against stress, and agricultural yields will increase 10 and 20 percent, contributing to sustainable development.

(Taken Prensa Latina)

Over the course of an extensive day of work, combing practically all the principal agricultural poles of the province, Machado Ventura verified, in situ, that the current priority of the population is just that: working without rest to alleviate the situation caused by the intense rains and the delays in planting these generated.

Félix Duartes Ortega, member of Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and first secretary in the province, who accompanied the Second Secretary throughout the day, informed him that the planting of 900 hectares in Horquita was delayed, and another 300 in Juraguá, both located in the municipality of Abreus.

Considerable damage to plantain fields was recorded in Venero, in Aguada de Pasajeros; and some 400,000 seedlings were lost in Cumanayagua, Duartes explained.

We have the machinery, the fuel, seeds, and the workforce committed to the upcoming season, reported Rolando Pérez Ramos, director of this agricultural pole.

Prioritized in Horquita are the more than 350 hectares of beans needed to feed the population, Duartes noted.

A similar spirit of work was appreciated by Machado Ventura in the Juraguá Pole, speaking with fruit grower Edey Suárez Martínez, affiliated with the Arimado Citrus Enterprise. He toured fields here, damaged tobacco seedling beds (that are being re-sown with the Criollo 2010 variety) and repaired greenhouses, where 90 % of the production is destined for export to generate hard currency for the country.

(Taken from Granma)

He recalled that, immediately following the storm, a meeting of the National Defense Council’s economic-social team took place, headed by President of the Republic Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, during which the area of greatest concern, the state of the country’s reservoirs were evaluated and, based on the experience of Cubans in facing flooding associated with such these weather events, measures to minimize the damage were adopted.

After the storm passed by, he pointed out, the country’s highest leadership visited the most affected provinces, confirming the extent of damage and the people’s participation in recovery efforts.

He noted that some 89,000 people were evacuated, around 73,000 in the homes of relatives and friends, once again demonstrating the solidarity of Cubans, and another 16,000 in evacuation centers.

During his report, he acknowledged the tense situation of the economy, hence the importance of working efficiently to recover in the shortest time possible.

Recovery, he stressed, does not happen overnight; but the country has the basic resources essential to the task of restoring key sectors, including agriculture and water distribution-flood control infrastructure, despite the limitations.

(Taken from Granma)

Although we are living in exceptional times, the sons and daughters of this combative, generous island will not forego celebrating the date across the nation, even in remote locations and areas hit hard by tropical storm Eta, facing the additional challenge of recovery.

The determination to achieve this objective was made evident during a videoconference with governors held by President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez; Party Central Committee Second Secretary José Ramón Machado Ventura; and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, according to the Presidency’s website.

Without renouncing quality, relevance, logistics and a culture of detail, planned activities will take place primarily in community spaces, respecting all sanitary measures to guarantee epidemiological stability, as established in protocols for each of the phases and stages of the battle against COVID-19.

Deputy Prime Minister Roberto Morales Ojeda presented the proposal for January 1, 2021 as a day of recognition for our health personnel, scientists, youth, and the heroic attitude of our people, with a profound, sincere tribute to our Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro at the center.

(Taken from Granma)

Presiding a review of agricultural programs being implemented in the province, Machado Ventura insisted on optimum use of all resources, to ensure savings, rationality, efficiency, and finding solutions to difficulties, while noting that whatever is valid now is here to stay, even when times of prosperity return.

He gave as an example the increasing use of biological means to control pests and diseases, and of local resources to replace chemical fertilizers, already standard practice for more than a few campesinos.

The province is committed to growing most of the tobacco produced in the nation, an important source of foreign exchange, as well as continuing to increase production and quality, but it is necessary to do so with higher yields, he noted, as a way of freeing fertile land for food production.

Vice President of the Republic Salvador Valdés Mesa, also in attendance, recalled that, in the strategy approved by the Council of Ministers to confront the effects of the pandemic, food production is cited as the first priority. He emphasized the importance of replacing imports that the country is unable to finance, and referred to measures being implemented to give producers more autonomy in the acquisition of resources, the elimination of unpaid debts, and greater access to credit.

(Taken from Granma)

This is the news reported to Granma by Vivian Herrera, General Director of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment (Mincex), who emphasized the commitment of 37 state enterprises authorized to conduct this activity, as well as other entities and organizations involved, in the interest of offering new opportunities for the export and import of goods and services by the non-state sector.

Of the 1,056 letters of intention we have received, she said, 732 are from self-employed producers, 119 non-agricultural cooperatives and 205 private workers, including independent farmers, artists, writers and other intellectuals.

She reported that five contracts for export activities have been concluded. The first, she recalled, was signed by the non-agricultural cooperative La Concordia, from Matanzas, and recently, through the Empresa de Frutas Selectas, private farmers have also begun to export Persian lime and avocado to Spain.

In the final stages of negotiation are another 71 export contracts for a variety of products including charcoal, fruit, fresh and canned vegetables, natural chemicals, sustainably managed timber, honey soap, computer services and software, among others.

“In the case of imports, 35 trade agreements were signed and another 159 are in the process of revision, focused mainly on the acquisition of raw materials such as pesticides, fertilizers, chemicals, automotive spare parts, paints and graphic supplies.”

In terms of the principal concerns noted during the process of launching these new commercial relations, she cited the guarantee that non-state economic actors have to access the hard currency generated by their export activity upon request.

Regarding this issue, Lourdes Aintzane Delgado, head of the Central Bank of Cuba’s Systems Development Department, explained that for individuals there is no prohibition on withdrawing funds from their accounts in freely convertible currency, although this does depend on availability of the currency requested in the particular bank branch, at the time of the operation.

Another frequently asked question concerns the mechanisms established that allow non-state forms of management to obtain foreign currency and conduct import and/or export operations.

According to the Central Bank’s Resolution 112/20, she noted, income is received through bank transfers to other freely convertible currency accounts in Cuban banks, as long as the funds come from commercial activity and legally authorized services, transfers from Fincimex for remittances, or through cash deposits.

In the case of commercial activities involving exports, she indicated, individuals can open a bank account without an initial deposit, at least during the first six months, to facilitate the start-up of their operations.

The ministry’s General Director of Foreign Trade clarified that the import services provided by Cuban entities authorized to support the non-state sector do not limit imports by individuals, as long as the goods are of a non-commercial nature. This activity, she said, will continue to be carried out through the usual channels, that is, by travelers or via shipments, with the payment of customs duties as established for these types of imports.

(Taken from Granma)