The challenges of Nayla

By Madelín Ramírez 

When Nayla Robaina arrived at Fructuoso Rodríguez Pérez Agronomic University of Havana, in San José las Lajas, she was sure she had made a mistake. Agronomy seemed to her a  terrible choice then

She had decided to end her first year with good results to change to another major later, but her teachers managed to awaken in the student an unexpected feeling and at the conclusion of the course, she came home with the news: "I’ll stay, I want to be an agronomic engineer".

Her parents were very surprised, but they realized everything was decided and applauded and supported every success. In her third year she was selected along with other student to do a master degree at the same time than the university studies.

It was necessary to redouble efforts to meet the curriculum and simultaneously, receiving the central module, elective courses and be linked to a research project.

So Nayla delved into the character sketch of  the microflora, mesofauna and macrofauna of the soils rich in iron of the Havana Red Plain, under reeds, forests, several cultures and pasture lands.

Learn about the biology of soil allows to describe the levels of degradation of the studied areas and even suggest conservation measures to slow down deterioration and preserve this valuable resource.

The reality of Cuban soil appears to the eyes of this young woman with all its nuances: "It is the exaggerated application of chemical fertilizers which can be replaced by organic fertilizers; we are destroying the soil ‘s structure and our sustenance, because from this land life grows," she explains.

She is just concluding this phase of her life, but challenges for Nayla  do not end: "Doctor Santos, along with other four tutors, proposed me to follow a  similar line of research, and I accepted.”

This means that in three years she could be defending her doctoral thesis.

Undoubtedly, today this girl see the reality surrounding her in a different way. "Most of people associate agronomy with land, but all that changes its meaning when you enter this world”, Nayla says while her eyes shine. "Land is no longer only that. It is soil, sustenance, life, and you understand we are destroying it and you feel something must be done tp prevent it… Then you can not stop studying, researching, trying…"

With her field outfit, loading the necessary instruments, under the blazing sun, taking samples, caressing the ground with her hands, this young woman of 22 years found the challenges of her life.