News Release Archive
AGRICULTURE/MARKETING--MINISTER WELCOMES CUBAN VISITORS
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Agriculture and Marketing Minister Guy Brown was in the Annapolis
Valley to welcome a delegation of Cuban agriculture officials to
the province.
At a reception hosted by Mr. Brown in Wolfville earlier this
week, Nova Scotia agri-food industry representatives including
farmers, processors, educators and government officials had an
opportunity to greet the Cuban minister of agriculture, Alfredo
Jordan Morales, the ambassador to Canada, Bienvenido Garcia
Negrin, and members of their staff.
"It is a great pleasure to welcome the Cuban minister and his
colleagues to Nova Scotia," said Mr. Brown. "Nova Scotia
agriculture has enjoyed a friendly relationship of trade and
education with Cuba for many years and I am pleased to have an
opportunity to showcase our agri-food industry in this way."
The delegation is visiting Eastern Canada to examine agricultural
opportunities for Cuba.
The Department of Agriculture and Marketing through the Nova
Scotia Agricultural College has a long history of educational
links with Cuba. For nearly two decades, the college has offered
an annual international potato course that is frequently attended
by Cuban students. Cuba is a major market for Canadian seed
potatoes.
As well, research projects involving college faculty are
currently under way to improve the Cuban dairy industry through
forage and pasture management. The research is being conducted in
co-operation with two Cuban agricultural universities: the
University of Cienfuegos, and ISCAH in Havana province.
Today, the Cuban delegation will be touring farms in the
Wolfville area. Of particular interest to the visitors are the
farms of Agri Kings Canada. The Kings County-based company is
currently in a joint venture with the Cuban government to manage
a horticultural cropping enterprise in Cuba. The partnership
permits the export of Nova Scotia produce to Cuba during the
local production season and imports of Cuban produce in the
winter months. The venture benefits both countries through
improved food security, cost-effective imports, and management
and technology transfer.
Later today, the Cuban delegation leaves for Charlottetown to
continue their week-long tour of the Maritimes and Quebec.
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Contact: Barb Whiston
Agriculture and Marketing
902-893-6381
jlw July 9, 1997 10:15 a.m.
