Abstract:

Context: The negative impacts of short and long-term droughts in recent decades in the municipality of Jiguani, Granma province, Cuba, threaten people’s well-being and stable farming development significantly. Aim: This paper aimed to foster sustainable diversification and production of yam in dryland conditions in the municipality of Jiguani, using biotechnological seeds. The trial was conducted on urban, suburban, and household farms in the municipality of Jiguani. This area was chosen as it is a predominantly agricultural municipality where yam (Dioscorea spp.) has been traditionally cultivated. In recent years, this crop has withstood long droughts that caused the depletion of most water supply sources. Methods: The main biotechnological innovation consisted in the implementation of accelerated yam seed production technology, through the combination of biotechnological and conventional methods to increase the sustainable propagation of different clones (Caballo, Criollo, Chino Blanco, Caraqueño, Blanco de Guinea, Papa), along with a relevant awareness creation and training program locally, that promotes local actor engagement articulation. Results: The results found helped implement the certified yam seed technology through biotechnological techniques satisfactorily, based on sustainable management between 2000 and 6000, in 2018, covering a total area of 0.6 ha (6000 plants), thus contributing to local development. Finally, the organoleptic analysis helped define the most promising clones for production and sale in dry-land conditions. Conclusions: The sustainable diversification and production of yam in dry-land conditions in the municipality of Jiguani, using biotechnological seeds was achieved.

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