When Decree 35/2021, on the Marketing of Agricultural Products came into force, we already knew of empty squares, debts and defaults, food lost in the furrow and a marketing system that sometimes left the peasant in a bad position.

Introducing new ways to carry out this process, paying directly to the producer and for Viands Collection Company to buy according to its logistical and financial possibilities, became the light at the end of a long and tortuous tunnel, which today is not exempt from difficulties.

At this point the subject is important twice; first, because filling the plate with meat is more difficult now than before and, second, because it was assumed that of the 113 markets in the province there were already around 50 leased to peasants, usufructuaries and productive forms, according to statements to Invasor by Yoelio Rodríguez Aróstegui, director of Development and Business at the Provincial Collection Company, in March 2021.

A year later, only 30 operate under this modality and, a priori, the most logical conclusion is that no new interested parties have emerged or that the company has limited the possibilities, in another attempt to strengthen its own distribution and marketing network. However, the matter is more complex.

Assuming the management of this type of establishment entails risks, which people are not always willing to take. Although in the long run everything is sold, ignorance, fears and the fact of assuming the logistics that go from the field to the stage can curb the desire of a few.

The other thing would be that the profits, in some cases, have not yet been reverted in the implementation of a system of payment for results or, even, in achieving the formation of agricultural groups, which would mean a higher level of development.

While in the new type market La Malanga, in the main city, a stevedore collected, at the end of March, more than 8,000.00 pesos, in the leased by the Credit and Services Cooperative 9 de Abril, in the area known like the Water Tank, its workers receive a fixed salary that does not exceed 3,000.00 pesos.

Perhaps this was one of the reasons why Ariel Nieves, commercial director at the Provincial Storage Company, said on Ciego de Ávila`s Television, a few days ago, that with more potential to take on the challenge of marketing are new-type markets. (two in Baraguá and one in Morón).

Although a day of travel does not do justice to a month, surely with better and worse days in terms of supply, it could be a sample button. Invasor did it on April 26 and verified that the variety of products exists, but it is far from exceeding 10, as it was described when the letter and spirit of Decree 35/2021 began to be applied; even many are of the industrial type and of low demand, such as hot sauces, pickles and canned goods.

With the prices, there are no exceptions and the wound in the pocket is felt no matter where we fill the crate. Malanga, sweet potato, plantain, donkey and fruit have capped prices, but the rest of the products are defined according to supply and demand, with applicable margins of up to 50 percent.

In this way, Mairelys Leiva Cruz, a commercial management technician in La Malanga, talks about mangoes bought from a farmer at 3.20 pesos per pound and put on the platform at 4.50 Cuban pesos.

Thus, a good two-pound fruit is worth 9.00 pesos, one less than the cart driver who is on the next corner and takes it to the door of the house. We agree that the difference is pyrrhic and we almost end up thanking the home delivery service.

If there is one thing we cannot deny, it is that there is more competition and that has forced some links in this chain to move, which must continue to face the furrow and rise better on the platforms.