In recent years, it has become aware that the factors that limit the agro-productive capacity of soils are derived from the phenomenon of physical degradation that they have experienced, which has been a consequence of intensive tillage with highly productive conventional tillage technologies. In Cuba, despite the advances in tillage, conventional tillage based on the use of plows and disk harrows still prevails, which adversely affect the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil, hence the importance of looking for alternatives that mitigate such effects. The present work was developed in the "Pulido" Science and Technical Unit belonging to the Agricultural Engineering Research Institute with the aim of evaluating the behavior of the physical and hydrophysical properties of the soil under the influence of two technologies of soil preparation, (Conventional Tillage and Conservation Agriculture) the first based on the use of disc implements, the second on the application of the three principles of Conservation Agriculture (minimum soil mobilization, permanent coverage and crop rotation). To evaluate the changes, two plots were established, in which 9 sampling points were taken with three repetitions, for a total of 27 for each area at depths of 0-10, 11-20, 21-30. The results indicate favorable changes in favor of conservation tillage, since a decrease in apparent density and compaction superior to 7%.

This paper presents an actions proposal for implementing adaptation measures to variability and climate change at local scale, based on integral diagnoses developed on the framework the international collaboration project Environmental Basis for Local Food Sustainable Production (Basal for its spanish abbreviation) in three intervention municipalities in Cuba. The crop systems diagnosed were related to: rice (Los Palacios municipality in east region of the country); beans, vegetables, fruits, roots and tubers (Güira de Melena municipality in central-east region) and pasture and forage for milk production in livestock (Jimaguayú municipality in west region). The measures adopted are related to soil and water management and also include actions for introduction of sustainable management practices for conservation and soil improvement, new irrigation technologies or improve those already in use, for increasing water use efficiency. Among the most important actions are the introduction of technologies for land leveling and maintenance and rectification of channels net for increasing water application and conduction efficiency in surface irrigation systems and the modernization in demonstrative areas with the introduction of pulse or non continues surface irrigation technologies and flexible pipes for third channels. Other remarkable the actions are linked to the implementation of Use and Quality Brigade (BUCA, for its spanish abbreviation) and the Advisory Irrigation Service (SAR, for its spanish abbreviation) for monitoring water availability, quality and use efficiency for irrigation and technical training for technicians and farmers involved in the exploitation of irrigation systems. The proposal of specifics and integral indicators for monitoring effectiveness of measures in the variability and climate change adaptation and support its performance in planning and management of agricultural sector.