Sustainable Agriculture in Cuba: Interview with Margarita Fernandez, PhD | October 17, 2023
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This week, we resume our interview series by bringing you the first part of our interview on sustainable agriculture in Cuba, with Executive Director of the Caribbean Agroecology Institute Margarita Fernandez. During an interview with The Hill at Cuba’s Embassy in Washington D.C., Johana Tablada, Deputy General Director of the U.S. General Division in Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke about Cuba's willingness to improve bilateral relations. Last Wednesday, Kenya terminated its doctor exchange program with Cuba, which had been often criticized by Kenya’s health unions. On Sunday, Cuba addressed the Israel-Palestine conflict and called upon the UN Security Council to oppose Israel’s “occupying power.” On Monday, Mexico’s President Manuel López Obrador voiced Mexico’s commitment to supporting Cuba with oil provisions, which would substantially support the island amid its energy crisis.
See you next week!
Sustainable Agriculture in Cuba: Interview with Margarita Fernandez, PhD
(Part One)
CDA: You currently work as the Executive Director of the Caribbean Agroecology Institute (CAI) and coordinator of the Cuba-US Agroecology Network (CUSAN). Can you describe CAI and CUSAN’s experiences working in and with Cuba? Are CAI and/or CUSAN working on any projects in Cuba now?
Margarita: The Caribbean Agroecology Institute (CAI) was founded in 2004, then known as the Vermont Institute on Cuba, by Marisha Kazeniac and Thelma Esnard, two visionary women, one Vermonter and one Cuban, who felt passionate about the power of people-to-people exchanges to bring two countries together, despite political differences. In 2014, the Institute initiated a strategic planning process with key partners in Cuba and moved towards a more intentional focus on environmental and sustainability issues, with sustainable agriculture being a priority. Our current mission is to catalyze knowledge creation and exchange, build capacity, and support transitions to climate-resilient agroecological systems that provide sustainable livelihoods based on justice and equity in Cuba, the Caribbean, and the region. Our initiatives are implemented in 4 programmatic areas: 1) Learning Alliances and Regional Exchanges, 2) Research and Knowledge Co-creation, 3) Community and Field Based Projects, and 4) Communication and Advocacy.
Despite the challenging political landscape, we have been able to remain consistently engaged through strong partnerships built on trust and respect. A sample of some concrete actions achieved in recent years include:
Since 2015 we have worked closely with partners in Cuba including the Fundacion Antonio Nunez Jimenez, the Asociación Nacional de Agricultores Pequeños (ANAP), the Estación Experimental de Pastos y Forrajes Indio Hatuey, and others to bring more than 200 people to build learning alliances and regional exchanges between mostly farmers but also academics and NGOs who are leaders in agroecology, food sovereignty and climate resilience. These exchanges have included workshops, conferences, and farmer-to-farmer exchanges where we share principles, practices, research, and innovations in building more just and resilient communities and food systems. These exchanges also build trust, relationships, and collaborations across the region. Most of the people participating in these exchanges are from the US and Puerto Rico, but also from countries in the greater Caribbean region.
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CDA: Cuba is often cited as a unique case study for agricultural sustainability due to its advancements in urban farming, agroecology, and ecosystem management, particularly after the fall of the Soviet Union. Can you elaborate on the principles and practices that define Cuban agriculture in this regard?
Margarita: Yes, Cuba’s agroecology or sustainable agriculture movement was born out of necessity after the fall of the Socialist Bloc caused food, fuel, and material shortages. Essential to the emergence of this movement is that it is built upon the knowledge of Cuban traditional farmers and systems-thinking transdisciplinary researchers who were already practicing, researching, and advocating for more sustainable approaches to agriculture for decades, coupled with support from international groups pushing for this change globally. What the Special Period did was open the political and economic space that allowed this type of agriculture to take root across the island.
The initiation of the transformation of Cuba’s agrifood system from one that was highly industrialized, highly fuel dependent, capital intensive rooted in monoculture commodity crops within a highly centrally planned system towards a more decentralized, diversified, integrated system has been a process that ebbs and flows depending on changes to policies and the economic situation. In the early days of this agricultural transition (in the 1990s) it was all hands-on deck with the Cuban revolution’s commitment to science, universal education, and social organization proving to be essential assets to this transition. There was a foundation of strong agricultural institutions that pivoted towards learning, teaching, and researching agroecological principles and practices. An educated society and a culture of solidarity and collaboration helped catalyze strategic alliances between government (at all levels, but in particular at the municipal and provincial levels), farmers, researchers, students, the media, consumers, and other key actors. Government and non-government institutes charged with education, training, research, and extension began to adopt more bottom-up, participatory, popular education, and transdisciplinary approaches that facilitated co-innovations and helped this knowledge-intensive type of agriculture to spread.
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CDA: Despite Cuba’s status as a global leader in sustainability and agroecology, the island imports 70-80 percent of its food and is currently experiencing immense food shortages and increasing food prices. Why do you believe the island is struggling to meet its domestic demand for food? Can you provide insight into the current food crisis in Cuba and its main causes?
Margarita: The short answer is that there is not just one reason, it's the result of structural challenges domestically, severe limitations internationally (i.e. the US blockade), and environmental impacts, including the climate crisis.
Of course, we cannot underestimate the impact that the US sanctions have on the economy overall and the food and agriculture system in particular. The current food crisis is the result of the greater economic crisis that the country has been facing for years. Those who study Cuba know the current crisis is the result of a multitude of compounding factors and events including a tightening of the embargo under the Trump administration, which involved adding Cuba to the State Sponsors of Terrorism List and further restricting remittances, travel, and trade; a severe drop in foreign currency earnings due to COVID related tourism closures, which have been slow to recover; the monetary unification process initiated in January 2021, which has spurred triple-digit inflation and to this day severely limits the purchasing power for food of the majority of Cubans; a lightning strike to Cuba’s main fuel storage facilities in August 2022 resulting in the loss of millions of dollars worth of fuel, impacts from several hurricanes, including Ian, that resulted in the loss of crops, among other challenges.
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CDA: Given your expertise and experience working in Cuba, what changes do you believe Cuba could implement to address its food crisis?
Margarita: Just as the causes of the food crisis are complex, so are the many different strategies that could help address the food crisis. There is no silver bullet solution, and there are diverse opinions about how best to address the many structural and systemic issues. I will do my best to answer this question in such a short period of time, recognizing that much will be left out. I also want to recognize my position as an academic and practitioner who has worked in the field of sustainable food and agriculture development globally for the past 30 years, with most of those years in Cuba, but who is not a farmer or consumer, or policy maker from Cuba.
I want to highlight the fact that there is so much unleashed potential in Cuba and that many of the answers to how to address the food crisis lie within its borders and are the building blocks described above to accelerate a food systems transformation rooted in agroecological principles, practices, policies, and values. Some of the key ingredients necessary for agroecology to expand to a national scale exist in Cuba: access to land (albeit with its unique limitations); pedagogical approaches in line with agroecological values; academic programs for agroecology; a horizontal process of learning and knowledge creation like farmer to farmer; successful examples of innovative diversified agroecological farms; an unparalleled urban agriculture system; a strong cooperative sector for social organization; and policies that begin to value agroecology.
However, the sector as a whole significantly lacks resources. New investments, incentives, and subsidies are severely needed and could come in the form of redirecting subsidies from other sectors like tourism.
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U.S.-CUBA RELATIONS
Cuba aims to warm relations with the Biden-Harris administration: During an interview with The Hill at Cuba’s Embassy in Washington D.C., Johana Tablada, Deputy General Director of the U.S. General Division in Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke about Cuba’s willingness to improve strained bilateral relations, a message that Cuban officials have reiterated in various public forums and interviews during their visits to the U.S. (The Hill). Deputy director Tablada particularly urged the removal of Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism (SSOT) list, citing the adverse impact on Cuba's population and increased migration from the island. Despite meeting with U.S. officials on various issues of mutual interest, from “patrolling the Straits of Florida to the environment,” it has only resulted in selective engagement which has led to a dysfunctional diplomatic relationship. She emphasized that U.S.-Cuba relations are “completely out of control and far from serving the national interests” of both countries.
U.S.-Cuba Recommended Readings and Viewings:
President Miguel Díaz-Canel meets with U.S. Rice officials: The USA Rice Federation is actively working to restore Cuba as the largest importer of U.S.-grown rice, a position lost when the U.S. imposed an embargo on all exports to the island in 1962. Members of the USA Rice staff, along with private sector representatives from various industries, participated in a roundtable discussion with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel in New York on September 25. Participants encouraged President Diaz-Canel to continue efforts to improve investment by the Cuban private sector. U.S. Rice officials have historically advocated for improved U.S.-Cuba relations, including permitting U.S. companies to finance sales to compete with foreign agricultural goods (FarmProgress).
IN CUBA
Havana residents affected by recent collapse speak against poor shelter conditions: After the collapse of their former residence in La Habana Vieja last week, 54 residents were relocated (Univision). According to the individuals the new building they are currently staying at is also in poor condition and lacks basic amenities. On Sunday, several balconies of a building in el Vedado collapsed, trapping two individuals, but fatally injuring none (Univision). Cuba’s government has attributed this widespread problem to a nationwide shortage of construction materials, which has hindered efforts to improve the overall infrastructure. However, residents in Cuba point out that hotels are still under construction despite low occupancy rates and reduction in foreign visitors to the island. Read last week’s reporting of the building collapse here.
Cuba’s Council of State defers delegates accountability process until 2024: Last Wednesday, Cuba’s Council of State announced the postponement of the 18th mandate’s accountability process for delegates to the Municipal People’s Power Assemblies (Prensa Latina). The accountability process allows voters to assess and comment on the performance of their representatives during their term. This initiative is considered a crucial process and marks the first such accountability process held during the 18th mandate of the municipal bodies of People’s Power. The phase set for October 15 to November 2023, will now take place in the first few months of 2024. The island’s energy crisis was a driving force for the process’ delay, given ongoing challenges in Cuba’s public services.
In Cuba Recommended Readings and Viewings:
Cuba’s rural communities facing population decline: Population in Cuba’s rural communities has been in decline since the 20th century, but has recently worsened due to inequalities between rural and urban living conditions (OnCubaNews). Despite government efforts to address the problem, rural depopulation persists, leading to challenges in agricultural production as it depends on rural development and a willing workforce.
CUBAN MIGRATION
Cuban Migration Recommended Readings and Viewings
A glimpse into Cuba’s youth exodus: NPR follows the journey of three young Cuban couples leaving the country amid a growing exodus that has seen over 200,000 Cubans flee the island due to the ongoing economic crisis. (NPR)
Click here for data on Cuban migration to the United States, including total Cuban migration to the U.S. and the number of Cubans interdicted by the U.S. Coast Guard.
CUBA’S FOREIGN RELATIONS
Kenya Terminates Doctor Exchange Program with Cuba: During the two-day Pre-National Human Resources for Health Dialogue meeting last Wednesday, Kenya’s Health Minister, Nakumicha Wafula, announced that Kenya would no longer renew its doctor exchange agreement with Cuba (AP News). The agreement was signed in 2017 during the World Health Assembly in Geneva. It facilitated the exchange of doctors from Cuba to work in Kenya, while Kenyan medical professionals pursued specializations in Cuba. The exchange program faced strong opposition from Kenyan health unions, as the East African country has historically struggled with unemployment issues among its doctors and health specialists. Since the memorandum’s establishment, Kenyans have noticed a significant wage disparity, reportedly with Cuban doctors earning nearly double the salary of their Kenyan counterparts.
Cuba makes a statement on the Israel-Palestine conflict: In a statement released last Sunday, Cuba’s Foreign Ministry expressed concerns about the escalating violence between Israel and Palestine (MINREX). Cuba called upon the UN Security Council to take action against Israel’s “occupying power” which it dictates has led to instability in the Middle East. On the following Saturday, Cuba’s President, Miguel Díaz-Canel issued a statement on X, addressing the “flagrant violation” of Palestinian rights, a result of “decades of Israeli practices of illegal occupation and colonization.” Cuba has stated that it hopes to see a peaceful resolution to the conflict that adheres to the pre-1967 borders, recognizing the existence of two independent and sovereign states.
Mexico to provide oil to Cuba: During a press conference hosted on Monday at the National Palace in Mexico City, Mexico’s President, Andres Manuel López Obrador reaffirmed Mexico’s commitment to support Cuba, including the provision of oil supplies, emphasizing it does not require permission from any foreign government (Reuters). President López Obrador is committed to maintaining diplomatic relations with Cuba, emphasizing Mexico’s reciprocation of the assistance it received during the COVID-19 pandemic from Cuba. This statement follows conflicting remarks made by Mexican officials in recent weeks regarding oil shipments to the island.
EVENTS
New Directions in Cuban Studies, October 18-22 | Miami, FL
On October 18, the Cuban Heritage Collection of the System of Libraries in the University of Miami will host its fifth edition of the multidisciplinary symposium, New Directions in Cuban Studies. This year’s theme is “The great challenges for Cuba yesterday, today and tomorrow.” The symposium will promote works of postgraduate academics on Cuba, with the purpose of spreading the achievements of the global Cuban diaspora.
Book Presentation: Transnational Cuban Networks of Exchange, October 20 | Coral Gables, FL
Books and Books will host an in-person book discussion of “Circulating Culture: Transnational Cuban Networks of Exchange,” by postdoctoral Research Fellow Jennifer Cearns. Her study delves into the meaning of Cuban culture and identity in a transnational context.
Panel Discussion: Revisiting the War of 1898 and its Long-Term Repercussions for Cuba & the U.S., October 25 | Miami, FL
FIU will hold a panel discussion focused on the impact of the War of 1898 on Cuba and the United States. Leading scholars Javior Figueroe, Marial Iglesias Utset, Kate Clarke Lemay and Taína Caragol will delve into how the aftermath of the Spanish-Cuban-American War transformed the United States and its newly acquired territories, how Cuba emerged as a 1902 nascent republic, and the growing ubiquitous presence of the United States.
The views and opinions expressed by authors are their own and articles do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of CDA.