Actions to protect soils

The use, conservation and management of agricultural land are crucial factors to achieving growth performance. The degradation, declared as the main problem of the nation, is high on the agenda of the delegation of Science, Technology and Environment in San Antonio de los Baños.

Incidentally we talked with Osvaldo Pino, specialist in the territory.

The CITMA Delegation in this municipality develops an environmental strategy What is the currently situation?

The diagnosis reveals the degradation as one of the most pressing problems, including actions to eliminate this problem. It should be noted that the most critical situation is at Lázaro Peña Tobacco Enterprise showing a 10.5 pH in soils. Reversing this is expensive and involves treating the soil before planting and allows subsequently using mineral and organic fertilizers.

What actions are carried out for soil conservation at Ariguanabo?

We work in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and ANAP. Implementing rotation with sorghum sown by the contributions of substrate and organic matter to the strip, it is necessary also joint state projects as reforestation, reduced fertilizer and pesticide use, the use of waste in each harvesting and recycling of organic matter, the development of agro-ecological farming, the widespread use of vermicompost, which will help conserve soil both the state sector and the particular.

What alternatives are put in place to combat soil erosion?

Reduce erosion and degradation performance of land encourages the creation of compact lands which prevent water drainage. The first agent against soil is the open sun exposure, as happens with the action of the rains by the wind, to avoid this phenomenon systematic planning of reforestation is imposed, the planting of windbreaks, rational use of pesticides. Agroecological production will contribute favorably to soil improvement.

At present, the approval of plans of sowing of all agricultural entities by CITMA is apply. Much of our food depends on the floor What do you think about considering that Cuba held every July 7th the Soil Conservation Day?

Soils are a natural resource of great importance, largely irreplaceable if we talk about food production. You need sensitize producers and makers of sustainable land management. Rehabilitating degraded soils is the contribution to the fight against climate change for the sustainability of life on the planet, men’s health depends on soil´s health.