Santiago García: The art of good veguero (+ photos)

The journalistic motivation led us to meet with the veguero Santiago García Sánchez who, with his 75 years old, still stands out among the producers of the tobacco in Taguasco, moved by a passion that has withstood the test of more than 100 years of family tradition.

“I’ve been a veguero since I was 14 years old, I’ve always liked tobacco and I’ve planted a lot of it, since they paid little; now that the price is better I plant more, I thank my father for all the good things in my life as a farmer, who educated us in good agricultural practices and, especially, in being a good veguero. I have also taught that to my children, who still live off what the land provides. We will continue to promote tobacco production.

In relation to the Attentions required by the vegas Santiago specifies: “Work, work, and also, plant early, in November or December, to be able to harvest the main crop and even two cuts of ripining. It is essential to increase agricultural yields, you could see that this main crop that we started to cut everything is first class. We are convinced that we will be able to achieve a good stimulus in the currency that they say they are going to pay again. With that enthusiasm I will continue to stick to the furrow as long as I can walk”.

Among Santiago’s sons, there is no one who can put a foot in front of Yorlis in his condition of veguero.

“A tobacco plantation means a lot to me, it’s what I’ve seen and done since I was very young, that’s the main thing for me, that’s why I don’t stop planting. It’s in my blood, it’s like food: I can’t miss it. Many have left tobacco, but I will continue to defend this line of business that has traditionally sustained this family. I can tell you that, unlike other campaigns, this one has been excellent in the delivery of all the resources, much better if the increase of the announced prices and the stimulation in foreign currency are fulfilled. That, in my opinion, can contribute to get tobacco out of the hole.