Cuba and Japan Consolidate Project to Develop Rice Growing

HAVANA, Cuba, May 29 (acn) Representatives of Cuba and Japan asserted on Wednesday in this capital that the existing cooperation projects in the agricultural sector contribute to boost the development of rice growing in the central Cuban provinces.

Toyozo Tanaka, leading expert of the project for the expansion and spreading of technologies for the production of certified seeds (Ditesa) of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), explained that tasks performed made it possible for the seeds to meet all quality standards established.
The priority was to train farmers involved in the activity in Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila and Camaguey provinces, where nearly 50 percent of rice production on the island takes place, he pointed out in statements to the ACN.
He explained that in order to achieve good results and yields in the fields it is mandatory that seeds are of a high quality and that all the methodological indications for their use are met.
He recalled that it was necessary to change the method of planting from seed scattering to transplant, which is more efficient and the growth of plants selected in the pilot areas can be controlled better.
Telce Gonzalez, director general of the Grain Research Institute, assured that work relationship with JICA also facilitated the transfer of technologies and deliveries of equipment and resources for farming.
He specified that the discipline and seriousness of Japanese experts are factors that have also influenced the impact of the results of work in the country's rice production.
Bilateral cooperation began in 2003 with a development study in the aforementioned central provinces.