Women in Sancti Spiritus Handed Over Lands in Usufruct

The female labor force in Sancti Spiritus, central Cuba, represents more than the 20 percent of the total membership of the Agricultural Production Cooperatives (CPA) and more than 15 percent of those are inserted in the Credit and Service Cooperatives (CCS).

Over 700 women have been favored with the delivery of lands in usufruct in Sancti Spiritus province, since the Decree-Law 259 was put into force in September 2008 as part of the Cuban strategy to increase food production and significantly reduce imports due to the high prices in the international market.

According to Marilyn Piñeiro Zamora, ideology official of the Cuban Women Federation in the province, the largest numbers of women linked to this activity are found in the municipalities of Sancti Spiritus, Trinidad and Fomento, with predominance of small-farmers, self-employed, retired and others who have never had any employment relationship.

Piñeiro Zamora added that as to present day, more than 100 records are being processed to add more females to agricultural production in idle or poorly used soils.

The female labor force in Sancti Spiritus represents over 20 percent of the total membership of the Agricultural Production Cooperatives and more than the 15 percent of those inserted in the Credit and Service Cooperatives.

Women in Sancti Spiritus have focused their work, in essence, in the development of livestock, poultry, and obtaining meats, vegetables, rice and other grains.

Vacant areas, which are being exploited from the very moment of the contracts being approved, have been used also for the cultivation of tobacco and coffee, the latter of vital importance because of its high value in the international market .