• Submitted by: admin
• Business and Economy
• 10 / 16 / 2006

Cuba bets on short harvests and higher levels of industrial efficiency Monday to boost sugarcane availability and punctual harvest.

"Almost all resources have been contracted on time to ensure speedy harvests, so there are not delays of 15 days for things that can be done in one," Sugar Minister Ulises Rosales said in an interview published by Granma daily on Monday.

According to the minister, the support and understanding of the country's top leadership, especially that of President Fidel Castro, has been important in speeding up the pace of production.

A preliminary analysis of industry potentialities and sugarcane availability, as well as the economic need to develop the harvest between January 1 and April 30, gives the possibility that there are 51 sugar mills working this time.

Harvest arrangements, termed the best in the last few years, include investments to control residuals, installation of boilers and a small group of turbo-generators.

"The country," said Rosales, "will destine resources to modernize the 11 alcohol distilleries and, informed on the purchase of the necessary equipment, to install another three plants."

In recent statements to press, Rosales predicted that if prices continue to be good, the next sugarcane harvest will be better than the prior.