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In Vinales valley, Pinar del Rio,
western Cuba, life centres on the growing of tobacco. Tobacco
growing is the lifeblood of the region; farmers still use the
old-fashioned farming methods to grow tobacco in the valley. The
latter came from the Canary Islands around 1800, they instigated
the cultivation of tobacco across the region. Now, the
descendants of the farmers together with that of the
Guanatabajey Amerindians and slaves look after the green tobacco
fields also known as Vulelta Abajo. Two hundred years after its
dawn, tobacco remains the main crop in Vinales valley, with a
yield of approximately 661,000 quintals yearly. Traditional
knowledge passed on through generation of farmers and great
patience makes the plantation of tobacco a success in the
Vinales Valley. Harvest time of the tobacco leaves is
significant in determining the acidity sourness and waste
product. The leaves plucked are stored in the rustic barns
waiting to be sorted out the best ones are sent to Havana, where
‘torcedores’ and ‘anilladores’ workers in the cigar factory
handroll them into cigars. In this secluded heaven like place
flanked with the ‘mogotes’ and limestones cones, the brand names
cigars packed in cedar wood boxes emerge to conquer the whole
world. |
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