CAMAGÜEY.- Migdalia Mirta Benitez León was not born in the batey Santa Rita, in Camagüey, but there she grew up and lived until very recently, maybe that is where that attachment for the land, for the crops, and that respect and admiration confesses for the men and women who sweat every day by the groove.
“I studied mid-level technician in Agronomy and then I became a veterinary doctor. Of the 46 years that I am, I have been 28 in agriculture. I also assumed several responsibilities as administrator and president of the basic body of the Basic Units of Cooperative Production (UBPC) El Aguacate and Henrry Reeve ”
- What do you think of women's work in agriculture?
—It's very committed. Whoever doubts that ask women! Early we wake up already in the groove to take advantage of the cool of the morning and there we catch the afternoon. Many also take their children because they have no one to take care of them.
“I dedicate myself no less than 10 hours a day, I leave home before 7 and return many times at 7, but at night. Then we get home and there is the double day. For some lighter than for others, but anyway you have to take care of the children and face the housework. In my case I have been able to dedicate myself more to work because my husband supports me and I also count on the collaboration of my mother and mother-in-law. Without them I cannot imagine.
“It is not easy, hence that the majority of people in the field are men, both in management work and in direct production work. When responsibilities are assumed it is more complicated. Meetings are almost always scheduled in the evening hours; a very busy time at home for the attention of children and the elderly, which in most cases are under our care.
“That is why the bosses are almost all men, which does not mean that there are no women, with very good results, but we are a minority. We have to recognize that we have to keep opening roads and tear down the doors that try to keep us locked. ”
— Have you found obstacles because of your status as a woman?
— Let me tell you that they do exist, especially prejudices. What happens is that I am one of those that when I say that I am going ... I am going. When I first managed a cooperative I found myself with obstacles, all subjective. Always with a lot of decency I expose my arguments and you have to listen to me. I have never let myself to be silenced.
—How is life in a batey?
—I lived in the batey Santa Rita from 10 to 44 years old. Life in the mountains is difficult because, unfortunately, there is nowhere to buy the basic products for the house. I speak of such elementary things as oil, detergent, shampoo, among others. We have to come to Camagüey to look for everything. It would be so good that fairs with different products were taken to the most intricate places, that would improve living conditions. Going out to the city is cumbersome, very bad roads, long distances and poor transport. Children in the distance experience many difficulties to study. After they finish primary school in the rural school they have to go to scholarships. My daughter was 11 years in a students’ residence.
"These are some of the issues that influence so many people migrating from the countryside to the city, especially young people, which compromises the workforce in agriculture."
Migdalia insists on the need to improve the living conditions in the bateyes, it is not enough with the medical services and education that the Revolution took to intricate places, there are other needs that need to be covered, so that life in the countryside is soften and people stay there.
Translated by Linet Acuña Quilez