Cuban Agriculture Sector Shows Little Improvement

Cuban Agriculture Sector Shows Little Improvement
Sep 01, 2012 05:28 PM EDT | By Sharon Robinsond.

Despite the efforts of the government to help farmers increase farm
output, the country is producing less than what it did in 2007, reports
Reuters.

The country is becoming increasingly reliant on food imports. Over 70
percent of its food is imported, reports Reuters. Raul Castro, who
became the President after his brother Fidel Castro stepped down, has
been trying to improve the farm sector of Cuba. He has introduced
several policies in the hopes of decreasing imports of food.

The agriculture sector in Cuba employs around a fifth of the Cuban
population, but its inefficiency has led to the increased imports.

According to Reuters, Castro has reduced the influence of state
bureaucracy on farms, poured millions of dollars in increasing
production of major food crops and has allowed farmers to deal directly
with the consumers.

As a result, some agricultural produce have shown increase in
production. Rice production stands at 566,400 tonnes and beans at
133,000, Reuters adds.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Isaac has prompted the harvesting of rice and
coffee in several regions of Cuba. According to Cuba News, Isaac
prompted the quick ripening of coffee berries, forcing coffee growers to
pick them and store them safely, away from the rain. A Cuba Headlines
report added that though the torrential rains fastened the process of
maturation of the coffee berries, the coffee plantations have otherwise
been left unharmed.

Separately, Cuba and Brazil have signed an agreement, which will see
Brazil crediting $200 million to the country for its food programs,
reports Global Times. The agreement is aimed at improving trade ties
between the two countries, the report adds.

Thanks to this agreement, Cuba will be seeing better farming machinery
from Brazil, the report says.

http://www.foodworldnews.com/articles/2070/20120901/cuban-agriculture-sector-improvement-brazil-castro-isaac.htm