Cuban authorities have reportedly unveiled an ambitious new project to expand the production of organic fruits popular among European consumers.
Local experts claim the initiative is designed to develop alternative sources of income, increase Cuban fruit exports and boost the country’s competitive edge on the international market.
According to Jorge Cueto Rodríguez, director of the Research Institute for Tropical Fruit Production (IIFT), the programme will focus on rolling out organic and sustainable production practices in certain areas of Cuba.
Under the scheme, growers will use organic pesticides and worm-based humus, and, if successful, organic fruit production could be expanded to other regions of the Caribbean island nation.
For the last two years Cuba has produced dried organic fruits, such as pineapple, grapefruit, guava and papaya, for export to markets including Switzerland and Germany.
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