Havana, Sep 19 (ACN)The Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), together with agricultural entities and research institutes, works to increase agricultural yields in Cuba through the genetic improvement of crops
Abel Hernández Velázquez, head of the Department of Plant Biotechnology belonging to the Directorate of Agricultural Research of the CIGB, specified that transgenic soybeans and transgenic hybrid corn are registered as commercial varieties in the country.
Currently, these crops are in the process of being introduced in an orderly manner to Cuban planting areas, based on the provisions established by the Office of Environmental Regulation and Safety, he stated in exclusive statements to the Cuban News Agency.
The aspiration, he explained, is to gradually replace the more than 500 million dollars that before COVID-19 were invested annually in the importation of corn and soybeans for the manufacture of animal feed that, due to the international crisis, the pandemic and geopolitical conflicts, the price of these grains reached higher figures and they have not been able to be purchased.
Using a technology similar to that used in the world, for three years Cuba has been expanding the planting areas with these genetically modified organisms, said the specialist.
As of 2023, they could generate seeds to sow between 25 and 50 thousand hectares, the executive said, and pointed out that to achieve this purpose, the creation of a new type of company focused on the production of seeds is opportune, hence to carry out actions aimed at constituting it.
Hernández Velázquez explained that the CIGB also works together with the Azcuba Business Group and the Cuban Sugarcane Derivatives Research Institute to improve this crop through biotechnological means, with the aim of obtaining highly productive varieties. and pest resistant; Likewise, they promote the obtaining of enzymes for industrial use of interest in the sugar industry.
The genetic transformation of beans towards more resistant varieties is another of the studies carried out by the CIGB from the agricultural branch, to which is added research related to the protection of citrus fruits against the disease called Huanglongbing, caused by bacteria.
Regarding the latter, the head of the Department of Plant Biotechnology stated that in laboratory studies, through the use of synthetic compounds, the defensive response of citrus plants was evidenced, for which they are preparing field studies to evaluate the effectiveness in controlling the disease.
Cuba has a National Commission for the Use of Genetically Modified Organisms, chaired by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment and made up of the Ministry of Agriculture and Public Health, the Office of Environmental Regulation and Safety, the Institute National Institute of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Microbiology, the National Office for Standardization and the CIGB.
Source: Cuban News Agency. Author: Sheila Noda Alonso | Photos: CIGB September 19, 2022. Available at http://www.acn.cu/economia/99316-apuestas-desde-la-ciencia-por-un-mayor-rendimiento-agricola-fotos
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