Meetings we held with Cuban Institutions and Ministries in 2005 provided focus on specific areas of demand and interest.
A number of areas were put forward where Cuba seeks inputs to assist in increasing domestic production for the benefit of the population, and the UK has goods and technical services to offer including the following areas:-
• Irrigation equipment and systems – particularly micro irrigation techniques to reduce demand on water resources
• Forage crop production and conservation techniques for animal feed and pasture improvement
• Minimal and zero tillage crop establishment techniques and equipment; relevant to reduce costs and combat moisture;
• Tractors and equipment – the majority of Cuba’s field equipment is ageing and dates back to Soviet manufacture in the 70′s and 80′s.
• Malting barley and hops for the brewing industry,
• Potato seed, harvesting, processing and storage systems;
• Pig and Poultry genetics to increase output;
• Poultry keeping equipment – cages, drinkers, feeders.
• Dairy cattle genetics and work to improve milk from forage to increase milk yields.
• Alternative uses of Sugar cane – ethanol and power generation.