Planting of the 1997 spring paddy crop, the main cereal, has started under normal conditions. Irrigation supplies are adequate and production is expected to recover from last year when about 19 000 hectares were affected by hurricane weather. The area planted will nevertheless be below average for the past five years due to continuing shortages of farm inputs. Harvesting of potato is underway and output is anticipated to be satisfactory. Land preparation is also underway for first maize planting from May.
Harvesting of the 1996/97 sugar cane crop, a major foreign exchange earner, continues despite delays by the late arrival of fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and essential spare parts. A modest increase in production over last year’s 4.45 million tons is expected. Output increases are so far reported in the eastern provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba and Holguin.