Tobacco Seed Production Sees a Boost in Western Cuba

(acn) A seedbed system for obtaining tobacco seeds using a technology developed in the westernmost province of Cuba, Pinar del Rio, has been expanded in the region, known for producing the best tobacco leaves of the country. ... In statements to ACN, Deputy Director of the Tobacco Enterprise office in Consolacion del Sur, Crescencio Alvarez said with the new system, seedbeds are located close to tobacco plantations and more than 11,000 seedlings can be grown on each of them as opposed to 2,500 produced with the traditional system. ... According to official reports, the new variant is based on the principle of semi-covered organic gardens enriched with substratum resulting in stronger and healthier plants. Continued

Pictured: Man inspecting shade tobacco in field, Cuba, circa 1905 (Library of Congress).