Cuba to Mitigate Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture

By Adalys Pilar Mireles

Pinar del Rio, Cuba, Sep 6 (Prensa Latina) With a funding of about $ 13 million USD for a period of five years, the BASAL project seeks to support adaptation to climate change in Cuban agriculture by using sustainable practices and other strategies, experts confirmed today.

Started in 2013, the program Environmental Bases for Local Food Sustainability (BASAL in Spanish), promotes actions in search of efficient use of natural resources like water and soil, Sandra Diaz, one of the specialists involved in this initiative, told Prensa Latina.

Another priority, she said, is to strengthen the production of bio-fertilizers, the use of biological control and integrated pest and waste management, together with the operation of mini-industries within the supply chain.

The rehabilitation of irrigation and drainage systems and their optimization, according to agro-meteorological conditions, lands and crops rotation, diversification of agricultural production, introduction of resistant varieties to the characteristics of each site and plant growth biostimulators, stand out among the measures, she said.

Backed by the European Union and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, BASAL involves several municipalities in the country.

Implemented by the United Nations Program for Development, BASAL will sponsor the use of successful experiences in the agricultural sector in the Caribbean and the European Union, she added.