Chinese tractors to boost Cuban agriculture

HAVANA, Cuba, Sep 29 (acn) The delivery of 587 tractors to Cuba by Chinese YTO Group, a leading manufacturer of agricultural machinery, is a courageous respite for the domestic food production, based mainly on the existing technological obsolescence in that key sector.

Pedro Sotto, director of the Institute of Agricultural Engineering Research, an organization that guaranteed the efficiency of the equipment before being imported, told ACN the importance of this acquisition to the corporation, which will support priority activities, including production of grain, sugar and milk.

He explained that as part of the agreement between the Chinese company and the Cuban TECNOIMPORT, his institution validated the supply of tractors of various powers, which are tested by experts from both countries, while local workers are trained in the use of this machinery.

Sotto said that the most powerful tractors (160 horsepower) will be allocated to the sugar harvest; while the lighter ones (between 65 and 90 horsepower), will be used in lower agricultural activities and health labors.

Hence it also helps to rationalize the use of resources and optimize the performance of such expensive equipment, which can be purchased through guarantees and credit facilities given by the Chinese manufacturers, said the researcher.

He explained that before being imported, Cuban technicians received training courses in factories of the Asian country, in addition to analyzing the problems identified during the trial period and patenting or not the quality of supplies.

He stated that as a result also of the contract, the spare parts necessary to ensure the proper functioning of those agricultural implements, for at least two years, warranty period agreed between the parties, are already in Cuba.

Since August the tractors are already in Cuban soil, and will be distributed throughout the provinces, according to the policy of the Ministry of Agriculture.