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• Caribbean
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• Business and Economy
• Politics and Government
• 08 / 18 / 2008

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In recent statements to Juventud Rebelde newspaper, the head of the Rice Production Program with the Agricultue Ministry, Nelson Gonzalez, said that after making an analysis of the limitations that faced rice production over the past few years, Cuba decided to implement an investment program aimed at progressively replacing rice imports with local production.

The first stage of the investment program will conclude in 2013 with the replacement of 56 percent of rice imports by increasing the amount of lands planted with the cereal and by improving productivity.

Cuba expects to produce 223, 000 tons of rice this year; however that figure does not yet meet half the demand of the Cuban population. Rice is a basic staple in the diet of Cubans.

(Adelante.cu)