Peasants in Ciego de Ávila province are growing over a hundred potato
varieties in an experimental way, with the objective of using the most
suitable seeds for next sawing seasons.
The growing is carried out in an area belonging to the Paquito González
agricultural production cooperative, in the municipality of Baraguá,
where 104 species are developed with all the cares and the advice of
specialists on the part of the Ministry of Agriculture.
"The project aims at selecting the plants showing highest yields and
being resistant to plagues and illnesses, and determining the soils
where they will grow", as expressed José Alberto González, president of
that cooperative.
He said that the test is conducted once a year in the peasant sector, in
an outstanding community or an agricultural enterprise, in order to
promote the best experiences in the country, which allows better
harvests and the consequent increase of import substitutions.
"The varieties currently fostered are doing well, among them Santana,
Roman, Ajiva, Calwhite, Spunta and others, including some produced in
Cuba", said Amanda Quintana, the president of the National Association
of Small Farmers in the municipality of Baraguá.
Quintana made reference to the exceptional conditions of the Santana
variety, which in previous years yielded over 27 tons per hectare in the
Paquito González cooperative. This variety is the most suitable to
elaborate pre-fried frenchies on having a higher percent of dry matter.
Every year Cuba invests dozens of millions of dollars in the acquisition
of potato seeds, besides other inputs.
Source: cubaheadlines.com
Publication date: 3/24/2010
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