Artemisa, Cuba - Agricultural State Markets (MAE) of new type began in 2017 with many expectations and not a few stumbles. Güira de Melena, the most productive municipality in the province, was first in this kind or market , and others joined him in the fertile lands of Alquízar and Artemisa, as well as San Cristóbal, Bahía Honda, Bauta and Caimito.
An attractive look, new furniture, air conditioning in areas selling agricultural products and those from the mini-industries, catering and meat from the Swine Company, are present in the markets (belonging to the Agricultural Enterprises), to favor people’s satisfaction.
After a time of being part of our daily routine, they are a concern due to offers instability and the limited hours for workers, while in some cases variety and quality in correspondence with prices continue as pending matter.
Links still lost
Very useful in lands known for their ancient citrus, El Gran Caimito, with about three months, has Acopio Ceiba as the largest supplier, along with other entities of Agriculture, said Odalis Santana, its administrator, and listed up to 15 stable daily offers.
But in practice, we only found six in early October, around 10:00 a.m .: sweet potato, banana, cassava, rice, beans and avocado, while working hours reduced until 4:00 p.m. impacts on opinions.
Besides , the manager ensures that "in the meat selling area and mini-industry there is not always offers stability .On the other hand, the inn has great acceptance. "
The opinions vary among the followers of this place, because in spite of the shortage, Manuel Garcia says that " prices are excellent. With fewmoney I get different products; the problem is that they do not keep what is shown on the list of products.
"On Sundays there is more variety, but not during the week. In addition, vegetables and fruits are most of times missing , they are so necessary to keep a balanced diet and with a certain presence in Artemisa’s lands .
Meanwhile, in San Cristóbal, the second to open its doors in the province with many options, they refer to a bad supply. "A lot of air conditioning and few products .
When they sell mincemeat , the supply is little bit, and people get disappointed because they can not find other choices. On the other people have to line on under the sun, the owners they do not allow clients to stand in the porch "says Rosario Llabona.
"However, you find more than in previous stages. The meat is at a standard price, compared to other options, which especially for a retiree is almost impossible to acquire, "she states.
Adanay Mijares, the manager, says that it is not enaugh. "Now we implement new measures to change supply still insufficient. We received products from Acopio enterprise , but it failed a lot; now we are acquiring them by own management.
"Since a year ago we have provided services with ups and downs. We already achieved a certain stability to get green papaya , banana, breadfruit, Chinese plum, sweet potato, guava, dry and water coconut, mamey and yam ".
In the other areas they sell croquettes, minced chicken, in great demand and poor supply; pork, ham, ham; pickles; canned fruit candies, jams, tomato puree, dry wine, vinegar and syrup.
Supply and demand hand in hand
We found better supply in Alquizar market , with offer variety in agricultural products, meat and some processed products by La Caprichosa mini-industry.
Although this market is not so crowded as other municipalities, it closes at 5:00 p.m., and can be considered an affordable option . There they also offer juices and breads in the cafeteria, and food in a small inn.
Vegetables, grains, fruits, viands and products of the mini-industry total more than 40, included in the list on the day of our visit at the beginning of this month.
Alejandro A. Ramos, manager of the entity , explains that the market is supplied on Mondays, and the products are supplied little by little until there is not any left . We have sale outside the air-conditioned, with products not benefited and other prices.
They belong to the Urban Farm and mainly supply their own farms and pig farms, plus CCS and CPA in the municipality, one of the best in food production.
Celia Jiménez from Alquizar says she finds products with acceptable and good quality , and also thanks the opening on Sundays, because not always in the fair she finds what she needs , especially mini-industry products . It would be good to guarantee food stability , because "it is not midday yet and there are no malanga or sweet potatoes left."
Güira de Melena MAE offers all services equally, with quality products and good customer service; that's why they receive more than 200 people every day, who have good opinion , says Aida Moynelo, the manager.
More than 18 agricultural products and up to 25 from mini-industry are part of the offer. Only meat sale is from time to time.
In the meantime, they are working on signing direct contracts with producers, adds Moynelo, which will increase supply and will eliminate that conflict marking a long process between the harvest in the field and the sale to the people. This should also bring about lower prices, even when there is valid competition in marketing.
Already on the road, but far
Agility in the service, plus the quality, quantity and offers variety are still disatisfactions of Artemisa’s setllers in their MAE, belonging to Urban Farm UEB , opened last July.
At the time of our visit (after 10:00 am), they sold okra, sweet potato, yucca, banana (fruit, donkey and snack) and guava, guava mermelade , tomato sauce and ketchup, and juices of three varieties.
Could Artemisa food company supply more food, grains, vegetables, canned food and vegetables? Eduardo M. Perea, the new manager , states that it can be , "but with greater organization, rigorous contractual relations and speed to get products , with capacity to concentrate more products of first quality".
"The restaurant averages about 80 people and, in addition to lunch, they offer meals. Charcoal burners complemented the elaboration. We insist on quality, as women with small children, the elderly and workers from nearby centers deserve an excellent gastronomic service, only compatible with more training. "
Of a monthly plan of 8,600 pounds of pork, the pork butchery exceeds 39,000, says José Antonio Pérez, while Marcos A. Moreno, facing customers, refers to the requirement to avoid hoarding with the sale of a piece by customer, and the demand for hamburger dough, missing almost a month due to refrigeration problems in the company, as well as by-products.
Chili, pineapple, garlic, grains, chard, lettuce, mango, chives, malanga , pumpkin, avocado, sweets in syrup, canned condiments, hams, and other options-easy to quote and not so distant are included in the list.
But, there is a great debt with the working people. Why not to have stabilize offers at a sales time after 5:00 in the afternoon? When their services coincide with the common working day, many lose this opportunity.
If there was a great state effort to have air conditioning in these places , if the fields have more and more yields, if there is much talk of avoiding intermediaries, the farmers’ and cooperative member commitment to produce ... it is worth to stand out everything done to fullfil people expectations in marketing. It can not remain only at the will!
TRANSLATION BY LMMS
