Experts Appreciate Quality of Cuban Tobacco Arable Lands

Havana – Foreign tobacco experts have appreciated here the Cuban agricultural procedure in crops of this plant in the western province of Pinar del Rio.

More than 2,000 people from about 50 countries toured yesterday the San Juan y Martinez massif, specialized in tobacco leaves destined to the Habanos, the best Premium cigars of the world.

The visit was part of the agenda of the 19th Habano Festival (from February 27th to March 3rd) taking place at the Conference Center in Havana, and other regions.

Participants in this event could talk there with peasants dedicated to the cultivation of the tobacco leaf many years ago and foster the quality of the Cuban cigar.

This is the case of Francisco Laso Diaz, of the Obeso Farm in San Juan region, who has been working his tobacco plantation for 22 years.

This is a familiar tradition, inherited from other generations. Six relatives are currently working in the curing houses for drying tobacco and six people near to the family are working in the countryside, he said.

Delegates to the Festival also visited yesterday a collection and a destemming of tobacco leaves, other important processes in the Habano production chain, to deliver the best leaves to the industry.

Parallel to the Habano Festival is the International Seminar that includes talks and debates about this production, world commercialization and traditions, as well as its relation with the arts.

The festival will conclude on Friday, March 3rd, with a great dinner at Pabexpo fairground. The Habano Cigar of the Year Award will be delivered, and cigar humidors and lots, which are real works of art in the world of cigars, will be auctioned.