On the International Day of Rural Women (October 15) and on the eve of the World Food Day on Wednesday, the event brought together women hailing from different provinces at the Institute of Research in Tropical Fruit Growing (IIFT).

They are beneficiaries of the Local Self-Supply for Sustainable and Healthy Food (ALASS) and Agri-fruit projects, resulting from an alliance between the Cuban Ministry of Agriculture and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the European Union (EU) and the Government of Canada, respectively.

Several entrepreneurs recounted life experiences in growing and producing vegetables, fresh seasoning, root vegetables and fruits, cheese and yogurt, preserves, milk and meat, in front of the audience and through video testimonies shot while the engage in agricultural work.

The event featured printed publications sponsored by the Agri-fruit project and hosted a gathering with elementary school children, among whom the consumption of fruits was promoted.

UNDP Program Officer Ricardo Núñez; the head of EU cooperation in Cuba, Pedro Campos; and the representative of the Canadian Embassy, François Picard, confirmed the willingness of their respective institutions to continue to support Cuba.

They also praised the ability demonstrated by Cuban women to succeed in any front, despite a wide range of obstacles and challenges.

On behalf of Cuba, the head of International Relations at the Ministry of Agriculture, Alaimy Martínez; and IIFT General Director Yadanys Herrera appreciated the collaboration by external partners and recalled the relevance of the State’s gender policies in favor of women.

Ied/jg/mem/mjm