Cuban Scientific Center Favors Environment and Economic Priorities

Havana, Sept 2 (ACN) The Center of Environmental Engineering and Biodiversity (CIBA) in the central Cuban province of Ciego de Avila develops technical-scientific projects aimed at advancing climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and food sovereignty.

In order to develop its projects, the center shares closed links with the local Maximo Gomez Baez University.

CIBA director Yamile Jimenez said the experts with the center implement international projects promoting climate change solutions for coastal areas, threatened by increasing sea level and other extreme phenomena.

They also train local citizens and directives in different fields so that they consider the risk perspectives in any territorial development strategy or program and draw up effective climate change mitigation plans.

A group of young university students develop their graduation thesis on issues related to sustainable agriculture, said CIBA research vice-director Javier Gonzalez, according to PL news agency.lc
Gonzalez recalled that his center makes its own contribution to the diversification of several crops in tune with the Cuban food sovereignty program, including the enhancement of Sunflower fields through the use of a technology based on the application of local microorganisms.

Ecological agriculture practice is also a target for CIBA work, particularly actions to protect and preserve the soil so to favor food production in response to the country’s needs for economic development.lc