Mayabeque, Cuba: A full analysis of the behavior of the production of transgenic hybrid corn with national seeds and soybeans in the 2019-2020 period, concluded successfully in Mayabeque, as part of the First National Workshop ?Production of biotechnological crops of corn and soy in Cuba?.
In the meeting, reference producers linked to the planting of biotechnological crops in the country exchanged experiences, while the strategies that will allow increasing these crops in the medium, short and long term were presented.
The work sessions addressed relevant aspects in the development of Cuban transgenic hybrid corn, the current situation and perspectives of corn and soybean production in Cuba.
They also offered an update on regulations related to genetically modified crops, the potential of the use of bio-products in these plantations; as well as the impact and use of mechanization in the harvest and post-harvest of the grass, among other topics.
Likewise, it transpired that Cuban biotechnology achieves a notable economic contribution through exports and import substitution. For this reason, more than 170 products are registered in 57 countries and the commercialization takes place in more than 40 nations.
Another of the objectives of the Workshop was to offer the opportunity to organizations and companies involved to present the results and difficulties they faced, as well as possible solutions; always thinking about the food sovereignty of the nation.
For the coming year it is intended to create a seed program, define areas and an optimized technological package, based on bio-products and national inputs.
Likewise, it aims to encourage the strengthening of the industry for the processing of soybeans, both at an industrial level and at a local scale, which would make it possible to close cycles with the production of animal protein.
In the event, a hundred participants exchanged, including the peasants who starred in the first year of experience of the extension project of the Cuban variety of transgenic hybrid corn in Sancti Spíritus, Matanzas, Villa Clara and Ciego de Ávila.
Also present were the creators of the Cuban hybrid, scientists, regulators, experts and decision-makers from different Cuban institutions and entities.