Even though it has an ancient history, the tradition of farming black tobaccos in Nicaragua became known to the world only recently, during the 1990s. Historically, the Nicaraguan cigars are exclusively destined to the national market. Only a few connoisseurs had the privilege of knowing the quality of the Nicaraguan soils. Nevertheless, many more people are now recognising the quality of soils in this region. The arrival in Nicaragua of Cubans, disappointed with the land reform policy that followed the Castro-led Cuban revolution of 1959, stimulated the cultivation of the black tobacco in Nicaragua. Unfortunately, the advent of the Sandinistas-led revolution in 1979 and the emergence of pockets of armed rebellion against the new government, the Cubans emigrated to Honduras. The civil war caused severe damages to the production infrastructures, as well as the death of many of the head labourers. With the return of political stability and peace within the society in 1990, the agricultural sector of Nicaragua started once again to boom. A number of tobacco experts then took advantage of the quality of the Nicaraguan soils. Considerable efforts were made both on the agricultural and industrial sectors, to enhance cigar production. The Nicaraguan cigar, nevertheless, showed its potential and it is gradually being introduced into the international market. With the Nicarao cigar, the Nicaraguan soil finally and clearly demonstrates all its power and fineness. |