Capitolio is happy because his tobacco is growing well

Perhaps by the time this article is being read Luis Raul Cruz Gonzalez, known as Raul Capitolio, living in San Luis municipality, have already planted 150 000 tobacco seedlings, which places him at the forefront of the farmer movement in the province of Pinar del Rio.

To this guajiro, who has a current plan of 210 000 seedlings, tobacco growing has been his priority for 10 years, and he confesses this activity has always called his attention, and in addition helps his economy.

Tobacco sowing requires an extraordinary effort, because farmers must take advantage of the weather, which have not been so favorable this season. Concerning that, Capitolio told me: "Thats the reason why I began to sow on October 18, to not be delayed. Some people told me I was challenging nature, but now I have 71 percent of my tobacco really developed" and that is a great advance.

Last season this farmer harvested a total of 21 500 pounds with the same amount of seedlings and he expects to get the same results this year.

Capitolios favorite variety of tobacco is Corojo 99, especially because all of its characteristics, which make it stronger before plagues.

Along with eight other workers, he also sows cucumber, string beans and cabbage, concerning the latter he has already sown 20 000 seedlings that will become 40 000 pounds at the end.

"I sell these products to the urban farm of the municipality that supplies education and assistance institutions of the territory, because I have always said that the sweat of my work goes to the State", he affirms.

And is that Capitolio wakes up everyday, hoe in hand, with the land as his best ally, which he cannot let down because it knows how to appreciate that.
(Guerrillero)