Photo: Ana Luisa Manso R/A
The Urban Agriculture Movement demonstrates the possibilities of producing food, in a sustainable way in the cities. This modality, based on the use of agroecological techniques, makes it possible to obtain fruit trees, medicinal and ornamental plants and flowers, as well as to carry out other agricultural activities within the urban area of the towns.
The Patio Hermanos Alemán (Luis and Orlando Alemán Díaz), located on 59 Avenue in San Antonio de los Baños, Artemisa, was a real reservoir of vectors, debris and rubbish. They asked for the space and decided to transform it into a means of food production.
They became small farmers in an area of 0.048 hectares of land. In order to achieve the highest possible production, they sow different varieties of banana, as well as sweet potatoes, squash, guava, avocado, lemon, chives, mountain garlic, beans, spinach, cabbage, parsley, ornamental and medicinal plants.
The area turned into a patio-school for instructors where students learn more about plants in general. As a model of diversification and given the productive results, the patio treasures various recognitions: the National Reference Condition and the Double and Triple Excellence.
Luis and Orlando not only guarantee foods rich in vitamins, minerals and protein, but also provide the ingredients for the traditional ''caldosa'' of the community and serve as promoters of agri-food culture. That small yard demonstrates how many healthy foods can be harvested. The natural wealth obtained is sufficient for the family and many neighbors.