For years,
transnational
corporations
forced
Venezuelan
farmers to use
huge amounts of
chemicals in
their
plantations,
said Jesus
Jimenez,
Investment
vice-director
with the Cuban
Plant Health
Institute (INISAV).
Jimenez was one
of the first
Cuban experts
who worked in
the South
American nation
under the
cooperation
program.
The massive
application of
chemicals
affected
agricultural
systems and the
health of the
farmers and
their families,
said the expert,
who noted that
Cuban workers
are carrying out
training and
advising
initiatives at
Venezuelan farms
in an effort to
pave the way for
the introduction
of new
technology that
favors the
protection of
the soils and
the environment.
INISAV
vice-director
for Development
Berta Muiño told
the Cuban news
agency that
several groups
of Venezuelan
technicians are
currently taking
training in
Havana in all
specialties
related to
vegetable plant
health.
Muiño said that
other actions
included in ALBA
programs aimed
at providing
technical
assistance to
Ecuador, Bolivia
and Nicagaragua.
