In our country they are destined annually, in spite of the sharpening of the American blockade, not less than thousand 700 million dollars for the importation of foods directed to satisfy the basic needs of the population and to the development of the production. The siege of Washington hinders transactions and makes it more expensive, with this restrictive policy, to acquire agricultural equipment and supplies, which forces them to look for the products they need in distant markets, at a much higher price.

According to reports on the damages of the economic, commercial and financial blockade, imposed by the United States on Cuba, these amount to more than 260 million dollars, only in the agricultural sector. Despite the difficulties, Cuban agriculture is advancing through the promotion of perspective development programs, which includes significant investments in machinery, equipment and agroindustrial plants, in order to modernize a sector that requires greater productivity and efficiency.

In this regard, the Agricultural Workshops Company (ETA), belonging to the Higher Organization for Business Development (OSDE) Logistics Business Group of the Ministry of Agriculture (Gelma), since its creation in 2016, has climbed steps in the fulfillment of its state commission, positioning itself as leaders in the provision of specialized technical services in the sector at national level. One of the determining factors for the achievement of the positive results that are exhibited to date, has been the sale, after-sales and technical assistance to the new agricultural technologies that are introduced in the island through collaboration programs.

After the International Fund for Food Development (IFAD), in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAG), included 4 eastern provinces in the Cooperative Rural Development Project (PRODECOR), irrigation systems, equipment, implements were acquired and other resources to obtain grains, with a budget of 45 million dollars; where it was conferred a great commitment and responsibility to specialists, technicians and workers of the basic business units of Agricultural Workshops of Las Tunas, Holguín, Granma and Santiago de Cuba, highlighting in their work the empowerment, in several of their municipalities, of the installation of irrigation modules.

Countless have been the benefits obtained, through teamwork and the strengthening of horizontal relations, which have promoted local development and the articulation of service providers, agricultural enterprises and governments, in pursuit of the common good. The producers associated with this program had access to credits and inputs, and the overcoming actions to apply the technology were guaranteed. With such a background, an increase in corn yields is expected by 60 percent, while in beans approximately 80. The integrated work and collective effort will support the basic basket and social consumption, in addition to contributing to the substitution of imports and the creation of new exportable items, therefore, it will result in the improvement of the quality of life of the population and The food security of the country.

The period of validity of the strategic program meritorious, has resulted in the work of the commercial brigades and productive technical departments, which have not ceased their work in any of the four stages in which the project was divided. Another determining figure for the success achieved has been the Sales Promoter Managers, complying with the new management model implemented by the OSDE Gelma, which has as its epicenter the philosophy of being “closer to the producer”. They are distinguished by the application of commercial techniques to achieve efficient contracting and commercialization; control distribution behavior; evaluate customer complaints or complaints; verify the update of the payments of the merchandise sold; carry out sales management guaranteeing its commercialization; and execute the sales promotion strategy.

In general, to continue increasing food production, with the purpose of contributing to the nation's self-sustainability in food, rather than a goal is a reality. The union of shared forces and interests, the search for joint solutions and the strengthening of science and technology, enabled PRODECOR to never be forgotten, not only by the happy faces of producers and family members, but also by the human capital of the Company. of Agricultural Workshops that will always say present to each task assigned to it; and that despite the difficulties imposed by the imperialists: it advances.