Matanzas, Cuba - Cuban Vice President Salvador Valdes called on Wednesday to stop the decrease in sugarcane production in the 2019-2020 harvest and to recover the crops and the industry.

Valdes insisted on making changes in the sugar sector, 'because things have to be done well to straighten Cuba's economy'. He also urged to assess the quality of everything that is done, not allow botched works, and achieve higher yields and productive efficiency.

'This is a very important sector for the country, with a vast history, because although it is not the field that contributes most, we will not do without it because its contributions are considerable,' the vice president pointed out.

He noted the need to diversify productions for animal feed, the energy sector, exports and byproducts such as alcohols, which are widely used to make the world-renowned Cuban rums.

Regarding next harvest, Valdes underlined that 'we have to fulfill the planned volume of tons of sugar'.

The vice president visited the western Cuban city of Matanzas to review the preparations for the next sugarcane harvest, which will start on December 1 at the Mario Muñoz sugar factory.