June 2, 2008

Brazil to assist Cuba in boosting soy yield to industrial scale

Brazil announced on Friday that it would provide technical assistance to Cuba on growing soy in an industrial scale for the first time.

Brazilian foreign minister, Celso Amorim, who arrived in Cuba on Thursday (May 29, 2008), said that land was already identified for the project and seed ready.

The country is one of the world's largest producers of genetically modified soy, yet it was not clear if it would be used in Cuba.

Amorim said joint ventures might be formed in the future.

Cuban foreign trade minister Raul de la Nuez estimates around 30,000 to 40,000 hectares of land to start with the project.

Cuba currently imports 85 percent of the food it rations to the public, including large amounts of soy, wheat and corn.