Radio Cadena Agramonte emisiora de Camagüey
Camagüey, May 17 – From a young age, destiny intertwined the life of Manuel Ricardo Valladares Castro with the sweet aroma of sugarcane. He was born into a family that instilled in him the value of hard work and the importance of the land from a young age.
At the age of 12, he entered the world of the sweet grass, performing basic tasks such as manual sugarcane cutting, operating a harvester, and driving transport trucks, which were linked to these tasks, which he assumed with responsibility.
Despite his young age, his enthusiasm and desire to learn led him to closely observe the more experienced workers; with each harvest, he absorbed knowledge about the crop, planting techniques, and the particularities of the climate that affected production.
Curiosity amid the smell of sugarcane led him to ask questions and become involved in every aspect of the process, not only working in the fields but also interested in understanding how sugar mills worked.
As the years passed, he gained experience and recognition among his peers. His dedication led him to take on roles of increasing responsibility, such as head of the sugarcane plan in areas of the Panama sugar mill and director of several industries in Camagüey province.
His natural leadership and ability to motivate others made him stand out in the sugarcane sector. Today, he is a leader in the sugar industry and is recognized for his contribution to the sector's development and commitment to the community.
Despite his "success," he never forgets his roots or the path he has taken in his long struggle through life. The now octogenarian Ricardo Valladares Castro feels proud and yearns for the fact that the territory of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, in western Camagüey, always has a harvest; an industry he is a part of as a sugar man. (Text and photos: Zenia Donet García/Radio Cadena Agramonte)
