CUBA ASSISTING IN TOBACCO CULTIVATION.

As part of an EC$5 million loan project, Cuba is helping Antigua & Barbuda get into tobacco cultivation to manufacture cigars for tourists, said Junior Agriculture Minister Rupert Sterling, reports Agencia EFE (June 15, 2000):

Other aspects of the Cuban-funded project include the construction of a water-supply system, an organic fertilizer, a bio-pesticide plant and the provision of technical assistance to farmers. Sterling said initial results of tobacco cultivated here as an experiment have been good but specimens of the plants, soil and water samples have been carried to Cuba for more tests to be conducted. "They said that it is as good as anything they have in Cuba. The leaf is healthy, the soil is good, the texture is good, but they have to now get into other substantive areas, such as nicotine content," he said; Once the tests reveal that planting tobacco here would be feasible, commercial cultivation will begin in September on about 20 acres of land set aside for the project. Authorities intend to use the tobacco to make Antigua brand-name cigars that can fetch high prices on the local tourist market; The tobacco cultivation program is said to be less than 5% of the overall agricultural diversification program; 50% is dedicated to ensuring that water is available to farmers all year round. Cuba is providing experts for building mini-dams, sealing ponds and installing drip irrigation and micro sprinkler systems. "(Antigua has a) big, big water problem. Antigua is a drought country and we have no conservation method," Sterling said; Another 20% of the project is earmarked for the construction of the bio-fertilizer and bio-pesticide plant, Sterling said, to guarantee the growing of organic crops "because we are eating too many chemicals," he said. The Cuban-funded project is aimed at Antigua & Barbuda becoming self-sufficient in fruits and vegetables. New lands are to be opened up to the private sector for cultivation and Cuba will provide technical assistance directly to farmers.