A Cuban farmer in Majibacoa, Las Tunas, firmly confronted the directives of the first secretary of the Communist Party (PCC) in the province, Osbel Lorenzo Rodríguez, during an official visit to agricultural areas with unsatisfactory results.
The leader attempted to explain how to make the most of the land by intercropping sweet potatoes to increase yields.
“What do you need to do here? Wherever you currently have crops planted, you need to take advantage of the intercropping, and then the area will benefit you twice as much... If you can plant the sweet potato here right now, which you can, you’re making the most of the area and the soil is already prepared. What do you need for that?,” said Lorenzo Rodríguez.
But the farmer's response was swift, politely putting the bureaucrat in his place:
“Mire, that is sown with donkey, and yesterday we planted interspersed beans inside the donkey... we are deep in the furrow and know as well as you what we need to do,” said the farmer, with the ease of someone who works the land every day.
In the video, broadcast by the official media Tunas Visión, Lorenzo is heard insisting that it had to be done “now,” while the producer responded calmly and confidently, making it clear that the political direction was coming too late, as the crops were already underway.
The exchange took place in areas of the agricultural companies in Majibacoa, where the official press acknowledged that no satisfactory progress has been demonstrated in the plans.
The scene is not an isolated event. In May of last year, the then secretary of the PCC in Las Tunas, Walter Simón Noris, publicly reprimanded the provincial leaders during a Government Council, asserting that "everything is being neglected" there.
"Las Tunas is an agricultural province, primarily focused on sugarcane and sugar production, and we are falling short in all aspects of agriculture," he said, listing the lack of progress in hiring, meat and milk production, sowing, and various crops.
The moment experienced in Majibacoa highlights the tension between the rhetoric of political leaders and the practical experience of producers, who bear the burden of sustaining an economy marked by scarcity and the pressures of state plans.
In the furrow, the farmer's voice reminded that, beyond guidelines, those who work the land "know what they have to do."
Frequently asked questions about the agricultural situation in Cuba and the relationship between farmers and the Communist Party
Why did the farmer from Majibacoa reject the recommendations of the PCC leader?
The farmer rejected the recommendations because he had already implemented planting techniques that he deemed appropriate. He stated that they, as producers, knew what they had to do, suggesting that the political guidance arrived late and was unnecessary.
What is the current state of agricultural production in Las Tunas?
Agricultural production in Las Tunas is in crisis, with unsatisfactory results in the production of crops, meat, and milk. Authorities acknowledge that the province is failing to meet nearly all planned production targets, exacerbating the food shortage.
What are the main problems facing agriculture in Cuba?
Agriculture in Cuba faces issues such as bureaucracy, lack of inputs and adequate resources, and ineffective centralized management. Additionally, the lack of real incentives for producers and excessive control by the State limit growth and productivity.
How does the crisis in the agricultural sector affect Cubans?
The agricultural crisis in Cuba results in a chronic shortage of food and high prices, making it difficult for the population to access basic products. This perpetuates a cycle of inflation and scarcity that severely impacts the quality of life for Cubans.
What measures have the Cuban authorities taken in response to the agricultural crisis?
Cuban authorities have implemented measures such as voluntary work and announcements of new production plans, but these actions have not managed to resolve the structural issues in the sector. The lack of deep and effective reforms remains a significant obstacle.
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