Sancti Spíritus - Efforts to develop agriculture, and not lower expectations despite difficulties associated with the severe drought faced in the province for several years now, were noted yesterday, July 9, by José Ramón Machado Ventura, second Party secretary and a vice president of the Councils of State and Ministers, during a tour of agricultural sites here.

Accompanied by José Ramón Monteagudo Ruiz, Party Central Committee member and first secretary in Sancti Spíritus, and Teresita Romero Rodríguez, president of the Provincial Assembly of People's Power, Machado Ventura learned of work underway at the Managuaco Livestock Enterprise, to raise calves and ensure the future of their herd.

At the site, one of the most important of its kind in the region, visitors toured an area opened three years ago to care for calves who are separated from their mothers and fed artificially to allow for their early incorporation as reproducers, within a period which can be reduced to 24 months this way, instead of the traditional 32.

Machado Ventura also visited the Angel Montejo rice mill which is undergoing a capital renovation to expand its capacity to 40 tons a day and improve quality.

He likewise met with farmers Eliécer Pérez and Yoandry Rodríguez who have achieved outstanding yields on idle land they were granted in usufruct, during which a variety of issues were discussed including use of the soil and water.