Ecobreves – CUBA: Drought Forces Survival Strategies

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

HAVANA, Jun 28 2004 (IPS) - The persistent drought that has hit most of Cuba's rural areas has forced farmers and ranchers to seek alternatives for the survival of their animals, which are suffering shortages of water and adequate pastures. In the central province of Ciego de Avila, the use of sugarcane and fruit (oranges and grapefruit) waste as animal feed is on the rise.

In the eastern province of Las Tunas, the reduced water reserves prompted the digging of 146 new wells and construction of 38 windmills to supply water to thirsty cattle.

Official data obtained by Tierramérica indicate that in Cuba 3,400 water sources for livestock have dried up, most of which were found in the area extending from the central province of Camagüey to the eastern tip of the island in Guantánamo province.