With the spirit of searching for the essence of the problems, the fourth commission of the Sixth Congress of the Cuban Communist Party began to work yesterday, April 17. This commission’s central objective is to assess the sectorial policies such as the agribusiness, transport and commerce.

During the introduction, delegate and moderator Adel Yzquierdo presented the general statistics on the opinions generated nationwide during the process of analysis of the Draft Economic and Social Policy Guidelines of the Party and the Revolution, especially concerning chapters 7, 10 and 12.

Speaking of the agribusiness policy (chapter 7), the delegates reached a consensus on the request by the delegations of the provinces of Guantanamo and Villa Clara to include the individual producers in the possibilities to access directly to the consumables and the equipment, so that they can obtain the resources at the right moment.

The delegates from the eastern province of Guantanamo suggested that there must be an adequate correspondence between the quality and the prices of the consumables being offered at present.

Considering the guideline related to the storage and commercialization systems of agricultural and livestock production, Noel Rodriguez Cardenas, from the central province of Villa Clara, suggested that the process of benefiting from the products must be perfected aiming at improving the quality-price relationship.

Alfredo González, delegate from the eastern province of Ciego de Ávila, and María del Carmen Concepción, from the westernmost province of Pinar del Río, noted that to achieve efficiency, all the obstacles that prevent the producers from receiving the products they need must be eliminated.

As to the regulating role of the State in the creation of storage prices for those agricultural and livestock products that substitute imports or generate exports, the delegation from Guantanamo suggested that the state of the prices in the international market must be taken into consideration. Adel Yzquierdo added that the substitution of exports cannot be at all cost. A previous analysis on the costs to consider its viability, and the search for the appropriate alternative must be carried out.

The need to continue with the development of the stockbreeding program regarding cattle, pigs, poultry and other food animals, to increase the production of proteins, as reflected in one of the guidelines, was another issue discussed in the commission. Delegates from Villa Clara and Artemisa suggested adding the buffalos as another area of interest, and the issue of the genetic development of the flocks.

Pinar del Rio delegate Emilio Triana spoke of guaranteeing the rice, beans, and corn production programs. Julio Alfonso Rubí, from Sancti Spíritus, spoke of the need of including soya since it now represents 12% of the country’s food imports.

Emilio Triana gave an opinion on the guideline on the comprehensive program of forest plantations included their maintenance and conservation. Further on, the delegates agreed on the need of incorporating young people into the agricultural and livestock sector, especially by providing lands in usufruct as a source of employment.

An in depth debate was raised on the guideline on the concentration of the investment on the most efficient products, taking into account the local characteristics and the links with industry. This investment is especially directed to the irrigation systems, the recovery of the agricultural machinery, and industrial equipment. Camaguey delegate Eduardo Almanza recommended the inclusion of the specialized transportation, which includes the transportation of root vegetables, cattle and the storage of milk, etc.

Another issue regarding the irrigation systems and the services of agricultural machinery to achieve a rational use of water was Guantanamo delegates’ statement on soil drainage. As to the guideline on the preservation and rehabilitation of the natural resources, Geobedys Nicot, from Sancti Spíritus, suggested that the penalization for impacts against the environment must be firmly stated.

During the debate on the guideline regarding the implementation of the gradual transformation of the food agribusiness, including the local development, Noel Rodriguez, from Villa Clara, suggested that this issue must be analyzed according to the agricultural and livestock development of each territory. In Camaguey, for example, the milk production does not always find the industrial capacity needed.

Gustavo Rodríguez, guest to the Congress, explained that the transformation of the agribusiness must be divided into three fundamental parts: the minor industry, the medium-sized industry, and the national industry. Delegate María del Carmen Concepción added that in the strategic economical projection (2011-2015), the ministries involved in the production cycle have worked in a comprehensive way, which has allowed the creation of an investment plan appropriate to the real needs of each territory.

The sugar production issue was discussed as part of the guideline that proposes the sustained increase of sugar production, prioritizing the reordering of the areas to achieve the harvest to take place near the sugar mills. The delegation of Camaguey spoke of reordering the sugar plantation areas, especially those under irrigation systems. The guest Orlando García pointed out that the areas with irrigation today represent 3%, which shows the need of stimulating the sowing in un-irrigated soils, especially in the areas near the mills.

The proposal of the Villa Clara delegation as to the guideline on the increase of the sugar and sugarcane derivatives production to achieve incomes in strong currency to finance the total expenses and the investment included the repair of the industries. Adel Yzquierdo said that having the sugarcane is not enough; the mills must work properly as well.

Roberto Gonzalez, delegate from the newly created province of Mayabeque, suggested a new guideline directed to grant the production, benefit and conservation of the seeds.

The issue of the railroad recovery and development program also raised a good debate, since it is aimed at ensuring the discipline, and efficiency, and at eradicating the terrible accidents which cause so much human losses and affect the country’s economy.

César Arocha, guest to the Congress, spoke of the combat against vandalism, which is not exclusive of the Transport sector, but also involves other organisms and institutions which also fight that social indiscipline, as stated in the Central Report to the Congress.

In addition to the recovery of the railway, some development actions are being undertaken at present such as the new Habana-Mariel route, said Enrique Lusson.

During the analysis of the commerce policy stated in the guidelines, the delegates laid emphasis on the assortment, quality and price of the products.

In general, the delegates coincided on the permanent commitment of always taking into account the basic needs of the population, establishing priorities to supply them. The point is that a society organized in the interest of the population has to adopt a planning-ruled economy, not a market based-one.

Santiago Pérez, delegate from Mayabeque, said that establishing a planning-based economy does not mean that we must turn our back on the market, since studying the macro and micro economic elements of the market is very important to be efficient in every negotiation.