Sustainable Agro-Ecology

Havana, Cuba, Jul 18 (ACN) The 5th Cuban Association of Agricultural and Forest Technicians, (ACTAF) concluded on Tuesday in Havana with the participation of 300 delegates that discussed important issues related to gender, sustainable agro-ecology, youth in agricultural and animal production, institutional management model and cooperation projects.

The Executive Secretary of the Association in the province of Guantanamo, Karen Alvarado told ACN that the assembly constituted a perfect scenario to analyze the weaknesses of the organization and work towards achieving major integration and mobilization of its members.

Regarding the Gender Strategy, promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture, the specialist said that the role of women in the different work sectors must be strengthened in particular in the farms, cooperatives and firms and their participation in economic management and reinforce their right to training to take on leadership positions.

The participants to the event that began on Monday meeting in the Agriculture Ministry and the Central Pioneer Palace in Havana, exchanged ideas on the need to increase debates and technical analysis of the production processes of the agro-food systems.

They also discussed the design of programs of the Association tied with the protection, care and improvement of soils, seed production, efficient use of water, confronting climate change and the promotion in the use of renewable energy sources.

The new National Executive Committee was presented; President Alina Beltran Castillo; Executive Secretary of the organization Taymi Milan Paradela; and some 20 members.

In his speech, Beltran Castillo pointed out to the importance of the work of the base structure with major leadership in the municipal presidents and base entities aimed at fulfilling the needs of information and an update of its members.

He emphasized in strengthening the work of the new generations and promoting agro-ecology with sustainable bases aimed at supporting agrarian development.

Closing the assembly, several institutions and business groups that belong to the Agriculture Ministry granted special recognitions to ACTAF for its efficient work in the last 30 years.