Soil conservation actions under way in central Cuba

CIENFUEGOS, Cuba, Dec 22 (ACN) Subsoiling and the use of organic conditioners, living barriers and green fertilizers are some of the actions undertaken in the province of Cienfuegos in 2022 as part of the National Program for Soil Conservation and Improvement (PNCMS).

Subsoiling is a technique designed to minimize soil compaction and maximize crop production by improving drainage and water absorption, whereas soil conditioners such as compost and vegetable residues are used as fertilizers to restore, protect and improve degraded soils. The living barriers are designed to fight erosion in sloping areas and prevent the sliding of the topsoil.

Other measures implemented in the province include the use of animal traction for furrowing and the preparation of plots in terraces using living and dead barriers.

Cuba launched the PNCMS in 2000 to mitigate the degradation—understood as erosion, salinity, low fertility—of the land surface.