HAVANA.-  Cuba is joining 22 countries in the Tropic Face International Program, aiming at raising awareness to face the Huang Long Bing disease, which attacks citrus fruits.

Cuba participates in the international program, which is sponsored by the European Union, through the Tropical Fruits Research Institute, said Guillermo Amendarez, who heads the center.

 One of the projects by the Bologna University in Italy focuses on the lethal yellowish of coconut groves. The Cuban institute also participates in cooperation projects financed by the UNDP.

At present the institution is undertaken 40 research projects, 31 of which are aimed at specific entrepreneurial issues related to new technologies, climate change, hydrologic stress and science and technology.