GAF

Food self-sufficiency, crucial for the economic and social development of Cuba

Before the deputies of the Cuban Parliament it was reported that the regulations applied in the sector strengthen municipal structures and articulate and link state and non-state forms of productive management

Food self-sufficiency, crucial for the economic and social development of Cuba
21 Dec 2021

Advancing towards food self-sufficiency is crucial for the economic and social development of Cuba, to which the implementation of 63 measures aimed at boosting the agricultural sector contributes. According to the Minister of Agriculture, Ydael Pérez Brito, these provisions are in correspondence with the pillars of the Government's management for the use of scientific development, computerization and communication, in promoting the Food Sovereignty and Nutrition Education Plan. The regulations strengthen municipal structures and articulate and link state and non-state forms of productive management, said the official in the VIII Ordinary Period of Sessions of the Ninth Legislature of the National Assembly of People's Power (Parliament). He pointed out that among the priorities of this portfolio are to promote the development of urban and suburban agriculture, as well as mini-industries; the control over the use and tenure of the land, and the promotion of the production of items such as milk, corn, rice and beans, among others, in accordance with the available financing. In this endeavor, the recently created Agricultural Development and Development Bank has approved 252 loans so far, 153 more than at the end of October, of which 194 to direct producers, he pointed out. On the other hand, he said, land was given to 11,000 cattle producers, but there are 22,000 in need of that resource, and work is being done to financially support some 23,000 owners of more than 10 cows. Pérez expressed the need to change the structure to massify the production of small livestock, promoting the creation of micro, small and medium enterprises and cooperatives. He also reported that more than 10 million dollars in supplies and equipment have been sold so far in freely convertible currency stores, and 16 agricultural production projects are being executed with foreign investment. There is a work system for evaluating the impacts of the measures at the level of the nation, province and municipality, where each agency and local governments are accountable for fulfilling the responsibilities that correspond to them, Pérez explained. The Minister of Food Industry (Minal) of Cuba, Manuel Sobrino, assured this Monday that the country is committed to the productive chain with agriculture to strengthen the sector. Among the main challenges, the minister insisted on food sovereignty as one of the programs prioritized by the portfolio and the State. During the presentation of the year's work to the National Assembly of People's Power (Parliament), Sobrino recognized the need to strengthen working ties between industries with cooperatives and agricultural unions. Another challenge is the conception of a communication program for the actors of the food industry and the development of computerization in the contracting processes and the link with the productive bases. The ministry works hand in hand with the Ministry of Agriculture in the implementation of the 63 measures approved to boost food production, he said. However, there are subjective deficiencies that impact on the drop in production of prioritized lines such as large and small livestock, milk or coffee, he pointed out in this regard. In that sense, he recognized the deficient business management, the insufficient link with the productive forms, as well as the application of science in the productive processes. In addition, he added low hiring, non-payment to producers and non-stimulating prices for raw materials. According to the owner, the approach to the producer is key in any strategy for better results due to its leading role for food sovereignty.


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