Meeting in Artemisa focused on increasing agricultural production, given the province's potential and current levels of demand

Artemisa - With the goal of reviewing the organization of contracting, collection, and distribution of agricultural products in the province, José Ramón Machado Ventura, second secretary of the Party Central Committee, met with agricultural leaders here yesterday, May 18.

During the meeting, the first of a series set to take place throughout the country, the role of farmers who bear a good portion of the responsibility for feeding Havana was discussed.

Raimundo Espinosa, Ministry of Agriculture representative in Artemisa, reported that steps have been taken to sustain adequate supplies in the capital's retail markets, including adjustments to management structures, to meet increased demand in the city.

Machado Ventura called for producing "not just a bit more, but much more," to meet greater demand resulting from measures taken to reduce prices, and highlighted the importance of taking maximum advantage of the land, rotating fields, ensuring consistent collection and distribution, and guaranteeing farmers the supplies they need.

He insisted, "We cannot afford the luxury of having unproductive land. We must reach greater stability in production in the field, more organization, a more regular supply of inputs."

Also participating were Agriculture Minister Gustavo Rodríguez Rollero; José Antonio Valeriano Fariñas, Central Committee member and first Party secretary in Artemisa; and Rafael Santiesteban Pozo, Central Committee member and president of the National Association of Small farmers (ANAP); along with other provincial leaders.