The science and technology event of the peasant cooperative sector was held in the southeastern municipality of Contramaestre. Organized by the National Association of Small Farmers (ANAP) of the territory, the Agroecology Forum was attended by producers from different Contramaestrian agricultural structures and members of the bureau of the peasant organization that attends the agri-food sphere in the province of Santiago de Cuba.
On this occasion, 10 papers with various topics were presented by local farmers. Studies that demonstrated the application of science, technology and innovation in order to obtain healthy and wholesome food.
The works were focused on responding to the need to produce food in the current economic situation. This scenario causes the lack of necessary inputs for the development of the industry. Mirza Rosa López del Toro, president of ANAP in the municipality argued that thanks to the search for alternatives and the application of science and technology, the peasant cooperative sector continues to contribute approximately 80 percent of the country’s agricultural production and 60 percent of the municipality’s income.
The research presented showed that the productive chaining, promotion and training of farmers on the importance of seed conservation and commercialization becomes a fundamental link in the locality due to the impact of this aspect on crop insurance.
The meeting highlighted the importance of this event because next year the IX International Meeting of Agroecology, Food Sovereignty, Nutritional Education and Cooperativism will be held. This is an event in which this territory of Santiago has had an outstanding participation and in this opportunity the municipality will be able to select five agroecological farms to be visited. This call has already been made and the peasant sector must work on it.
At the Forum, three mentions were delivered, an equal number of outstanding and two received the status of relevant, they were the papers Breeding of red tilapia in rice by the grain producer Larisa Brizuela Lopez, and the farmer Osbeldis Diaz Hernandez for the research Manual planting of intercropping of corn and beans. Both works will represent the town of Contramaestrian in the province of Santiago de Cuba.
