• Submitted by: admin
• Pinar del Río
• Science and Technology
• 05 / 16 / 2007

The initiative is part of the Turquino-Manati program, an initiative launched in the 1980?s to improve social and economic living conditions in Cuban mountainous areas.

The expansion and genetic improvement of plant varieties, soil conservation and the upgrading of watering systems, are on the spotlight of ongoing projects, which stand for half of all scientific programs in the western Cuban province.

In explaining about the local initiative, experts with the Cuban Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment mentioned the use of new technology to produce compost, benefit the soils and develop certain plant species in containers. They also said that the action is aimed at expanding seedbeds and preserving local plant species, such as the "Guayabita del Pinar, which yields the fruit used in the production of a Cuban genuine rum named after it.

More than 80,000 Cubans live on the Pinar del Rio mountains. They enjoy a network of family doctor offices and more than 200 schools, plus other facilities and means that contribute to the improvement of their standard of living.

Source: Radio Habana Cuba