Guantanamo.- Tomato planting in Valle de Caujerí—the main agricultural hub for the province’s winter season—covered 39 hectares as of October 13. This figure is expected to increase significantly in the coming weeks, reaching the 353 hectares planned.
The forecast is supported by the availability of seedlings grown both in covered nurseries and in open-root seedbeds, as well as by the fact that 345 hectares have already been prepared and are ready for planting.
According to information provided by Céspedes Lobaina Arias, deputy provincial agriculture director, 15 nurseries are currently stocked with seeds, along with 53.5 hectares of open-root seedbeds. Together, they guarantee the planting of 166 hectares in October.
He explained that the processing industry agreed with the cooperatives on a price of 5,500 pesos per quintal delivered, providing an incentive for producers.
To ensure a successful tomato harvest, workers at the agricultural hub are also repairing water leaks. Of the 264 leaks identified, 84 have been fixed, while 180 remain. Progress has been slowed by fuel shortages.
