International project to promote Cuba’s food sovereignty

The region with the highest livestock potential in Cuba continues to develop the international collaboration project Improvement of cow milk production potential, led by the University of Camagüey.

Professionals from the Ministry of Agriculture have sponsored the progress of the plan, which is based on the introduction of a health management program for dairy herds, especially in the municipalities of Jimaguayu, Najasa, Guaimaro and Sibanicu.

Funding from the Flemish Inter-University Council-University Cooperation for Development of Belgium has been fundamental to take actions that include the use of automatic data collection systems.

This scientific technique consists of “placing collars and intelligent electronic tags on the animals, which have an electronic device inside that monitors the cow’s physical activity, considered, according to experts, a reliable indicator of heat,’ the website of Radio Cadena Agramonte explained.

At the same time, the technology provides results regarding the ‘feeding behavior, rumination and inactivity of each animal,’ the online publication reported.

Cuba’s Ministry of Agriculture also has high hopes in the short term for the international Livestock Development Project (Prodegan).

Financed by the French Development Agency, and with a first phase to be extended until May 2024, the program covers four municipalities in the central-eastern region, the one with the largest milk supply to the country.