Arthur Hall, Senior Staff Reporter

HAVANA, Cuba:

Agricultural officials from Cuba are expected to arrive in Jamaica before the end of June to help the Government in its drive to increase the production of cassava, potato and other tubers.

That is one aspect of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed yesterday by Agriculture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton and his Cuban counterpart in Havana.

Under the agreement, Jamaica will provide Cuba with assistance in the area of research and development.

Several areas

Cuba will help Jamaica in several areas, including soil preparation, veterinary services and fruit tree production.

According to Tufton, both countries should benefit from the agreement.

"We anticipate that the agreement will manifest itself with Cuban experts coming to Jamaica to work with their local counterparts, including the Rural Agricultural Development Authority," Tufton said.

He added that Jamaicans will also travel to Cuba as part of the deal.

However, the MOU will not take effect until the two governments complete their work on a phytosanitary agreement.

"That will allow for agricultural produce to move from one country to the next with the necessary quarantine structures in place," Tufton added.

Cuban technology

He said Jamaica was very interested in the transfer of some of the technology now being used in Cuba. These include the use of organic material and worms to treat the soil.

Speaking with The Gleaner during a tour of a greenhouse farming project, the agriculture minister noted that Cuban farmers were using different crops to repel insects and contribute to the protection of other plants.

The agriculture minister is part of a delegation led by Prime Minister Bruce Golding on an official four-day visit to Cuba.

The team is to return today.

arthur.hall@gleanerjm.com