The willingness of the Japanese government to support the Food Sovereignty and Nutritional Education Program in Cuba was reiterated by Hirata Kenji, extraordinary ambassador and plenipotentiary of that Asian nation in the Greater Antilles, during a working visit to the province of Ciego de Ávila.
He, accompanied by KozueAsai, project coordinator of that diplomatic representation on the island, verified the installation and use of an automated sprinkler irrigation system, donated by Japan to “June 14” organic farm, belonging to the Urban Farm of the main municipality.
During the exchange with workers of that unit and directors of the Provincial Delegation of Agriculture, they learned that this technology achieves a positive impact by increasing yields in the production of fresh vegetables and condiments, and allowing a rational and efficient use of energy carriers. (Water and electricity).
Ruber Mustelier Aranda, administrator of the aforementioned farm, specified that it is an efficient irrigation system, of the latest generation, which made it possible to double the harvests, in semi-protected and unprotected areas, until obtaining some 60 tons of vegetables and condiments in the period of one year.
This has made it possible to increase deliveries to prioritized centers (childcare organizations, schools, homes for the elderly, mothers and children without family protection, and hospital institutions), in addition to the contribution to social consumption, he stressed.
The Japanese diplomat called for the care and proper use of the equipment to contribute to self-sufficiency in a nation that invests millions in the purchase of food abroad.
He emphasized that this delivery is part of the support of the Japanese government and people for community projects in different sectors of several provinces, in the case of Ciego de Ávila focused on agricultural development, with the interest of accompanying the nation's efforts to achieve security food.
He expressed his satisfaction with the use of resources and the possibility of multiplying productions with a help that he considers small; however, it demonstrates the solidarity of the Japanese people.
Lieutenant Governor Annia Rosa Francisco Malde offered elements on local history, cultural traditions, main economic and social activities, as well as the actions that are carried out to improve the quality of life of the population.
During the exchange with the government authorities in Ciego de Ávila, the distinguished visitor expressed the purpose of extending cooperation ties to other sectors such as tourism, after learning about the potential of the Jardines del Rey destination.
It also satisfied informational interests related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the leisure industry and the progressive recovery, in addition to the investment process in the northern cays of the region and the renovation of the second most important sun and beach destination in the country.
HirataKenji assured that he would return to Ciego de Ávila to tour Jardines del Rey and verify the excellence of its beaches and quality of services in hotel and non-hotel facilities, with the aim of strengthening cooperation ties with the tourism sector.
He congratulated the province and the Cuban government for their results in confronting the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular the control of the Omicron variant, despite its high contagiousness, which allows the recovery of the national economy.
Since 1998, Japan has consolidated cooperation with Cuba, with donations that exceed 20 billion dollars and include deliveries of medical and agricultural equipment, means of transportation, irrigation systems for agriculture, teaching materials and the repair of schools.
The solidarity of that nation is also demonstrated with the delivery of technologies for the development of Meteorology, ambulances, and devices for the supply of water and the progress of livestock.
The ties of goodwill between both nations are also defined in assistance for community projects, non-reimbursable financial and humanitarian, as well as in technical and cultural cooperation.
