The research institute in tropical fruit-growth (IIFT) is a research institution auto-financed and in managerial improvement which belongs to the Ministry of Agriculture of Cuba. It has for mission to provide scientific and technical basis to obtain durability and competitiveness in the agro-industry concerning the Cuban cultivation of fruit trees.
The research lines developed are: Propagation, Improvement and genetically recourses, physiology, the technology in crop management, physiopathology, ecology and integrated management of parasites, crop and post-crop, nutrition and irrigation, industry and agroecological productions.
Within 320 employees in total, 69% are researchers, specialists and technicians with 78% of these professionals are within the age range of 30/49 years old, counting with the 18 doctorates and the 42 students in Science master.
IIFT presents solid infrastructure organised in five directions (scientific, of development, of human resources management, technical, of production and accountancy/finances) with are located within the head office in the capital. It is composed of two unities of science and of basic technology (UCTB) with one en Alquizar and the other in Jaguey Grande as well as three groups of technological diffusions (GDT) in Pinard del Rio, Isla de la Juventud and Contramaestre. The institute is endowed with specialised labs, isolators, conversation cameras, sites for agricultural experimentations, class rooms and other equipments for the execution of the vast training programme for researchers, technicians and producers.
