Sustainable Agriculture in Cuba The breadth of this course has ranged across many different perspectives on the state

of modern agriculture. Following the widespread prompts for change, it naturally follows that one assesses the prospects for bringing this change. Cubas agriculture represents one of particular relevance in this light, as it is the largest example of a working sustainable agriculture. This essay will chronicle Cubas journey to its current model, detailing why theyre pursuing alternative agriculture, what theyre doing to pursue it, and how alternative agriculture has affected Cuban society. Scrutiny of Cubas model reveals that current theories of sustainable agriculture do not offer a feasible substitute to modern agriculture. This discussion provides valuable contributions towards the discussion of organic food, taking armchair theories proposed by activists, scientists, writers, and farmers, and batting them into the playing field. While still in progress, the results of Cubas experiment could have wide implications on the future of sustainable agriculture.

Cuba's pursuit of sustainable agriculture arose from tumultuous sociopolitical and socioeconomic sources. Since the early eighteenth century, Cuba has maintained a comparative advantage in the production of sugar, which for many years brought prosperity to its economy (Clairmont). "Cuba is sugar and sugar is Cuba," wrote Cuban writer Jose Marti. However this quickly developed into an overreliance on the cash crop, bringing turmoil to the Cuban economy. As a large importer of sugar, the United States was an early beneficiary of Cubas dependency on sugar. Worried that its dependence on

2 [Type text] the United States would endanger its own economy, Cuba turned to socialism in 1959 and slashed many trading ties with the United States during the Cuban revolution. Despite minor attempts to break away, Cuba however returned to its monocultural tendencies as a means to rebuild its economy. In 1963, Castro announced that Cuba would produce 10 million tons of sugar annually by 1970 (Morenos and Fraginals). The "Zafra de los Diez Millones," or "10 million tons sugar harvest," became an iconic target for progress, as a symbol of both political legitimacy and economic freedom (Leogrande). To fulfill the goal, Cuba began to rely increasingly on the Soviet Union, who offered higher prices for Cuba's sugar crop, a guaranteed market for their exports, as well as aid towards Cuba's trade deficit. With Soviet aid, Cuba recovered at promising rates, reaching its peak in 1973. Sugar prices however suddenly began to fall, and Cuba plunged back into debt. Cuba's economy soon became stilted on Soviets' preferential prices and market space. By 1978, about 70% of Cuba's total trade was conducted with the Soviet Union (Leogrande). In 1991, the worst scenario for Cuba became a reality with the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Cuba was suddenly plummeted into an era of extreme poverty and helplessness. This would be declared as the "Special Period" by Castro, as immediate losses to USSR's supply of oil translated into widespread failures in the production network and famine. Cuba scattered to get back on its feet, and began its pursuit of alternative agriculture. In 1991, Fidel Castro addressed the Congress of the National System of Agricultural and Forestry Technicians saying, Our problems must be resolved without feedstocks, fertilizers or fuel. All plans based on fuel availability must be cut practically in half; half of what the country consumed in normal circumstances.

To accomplish sustainable agriculture, Cuba has employed a combination of tactics that minimize use of chemicals and petroleum in the production of food. One prime example of Cubas efforts can be found in the implementation of organipocos, a form of urban organic farming. Organipocos are farms based on sustainable farming techniques that provide local food for cities like Havana (Ewing). They are structured on several different levels, ranging from family owned and operated to state-organized. The gardens employ many biological controls developed by Cuban researchers to combat plant pathogens, weed growth, and pests. For example, an isolated strain of fungi, known as Trichoderma, combats pathogens in tobacco plants causing root diseases. The Trichoderma prey upon the bacteria, and eliminate them from the plant without causing damage to neither the host crop nor human consumers (Rosset). In another example, researchers used the biology of entomophages, insects that eat or parasitize other insects, as a form of biological pest control. Researches released several colonies of the wasp Trichogramma as a predator to the parasitic fly Tachinidae that plagues sugarcane plants (Rosset). Weed control, is accomplished through the use of crop rotation by setting up conditions that undermine the prime conditions for weed growth. Corn, for example, can be planted with beans since the height of corn crops will provide shade and discourage weed plants from propagating successfully. In areas with rampant weeds, crops like sweet potato with characteristics of dense ground coverage can be planted to ameliorate the situation (Rosset). American organic agriculture proponent Marty Strange described in his article The Economic Structure of a Sustainable Agriculture, agriculture is a function of the socioeconomic structure of society. Stranges theories explain why organipocos

4 [Type text] should theoretically function successfully in Cuba. Proximity of local farming promotes responsibility in part of farmers and general receptivity to local market needs. Farmers of organipocos keep 50% of the sales they make thus are motivated to maintain high yields, meanwhile maintain systems of agriculture that are not degrading to the environment (Ewing). This symbiotic relationship between social, economic, technological, and biological forces maintains that sustainable agriculture is an added benefit to society. However as the results of Cubas efforts show, sustainable agriculture does not necessarily benefit society.

Under the changes made by organic farming, Cuba has seen little improvement or recovery. The agriculture of Cuba since the 1990s has maintained a trend of decline, with figures showing that in 2007, 75% of Cubas farmland was in a state of degradation with 45% low in fertility and 69% low in organic matter. These statistics are higher than previously recorded in 1997, in which 41% of farmlands had fertility deficiencies and 64% had organic matter deficiencies (Cuba, USDA). Despite cities like Havana being mainly self sufficient through organipocos farms, Cuba continues to import 80% of its food from other countries (Economist). These numbers raise alarming concerns on whether sustainable agriculture is succeeding against the standards that it is raised to. Cuban citizens still live in a state of relative poverty, with reporters describing meager rations, the scarcity of beef or pork, and subsistence on mainly green vegetables (Snow). Although Cuba is surviving on its current model, it is in no state of luxury or complacency. When considered in perspective of developed countries living standards,

the annual GDP per capita in the United States is about $48,000 as of 2011. In contrast, the GDP per capita in Cuba is at about $10,000 (CIA). Current theories on sustainable agriculture manage to succeed only enough for subsistence; a condition that human nature is bound to work away from. It is infeasible to expect that the rest of the world be willing to maintain standards of living at this level, considering the levels of luxury that many citizens across the globe enjoy today. If small country such as Cuba, invests its entire agricultural economy towards sustainable farming and still needs to import 80% of its food, the model is an unsustainable model.

This conclusion is based upon several assumptions comparing Cuba to other countries of the world. These assumptions may come under attack by opponents questioning the analogy between Cuba and other countries, given their political and historical differences. This next paragraph will address these arguments concerning the differences between Cuba and other nations. First is the question of political ideology. Ideology should not affect the outcome of sustainable agriculture because modern theories of organic farming involve more than anything an application of alternative science. Whether the theories surround biopesticides or crop rotation, organic farming involves an understanding of biology and interactions with the environment. Application of science is not affected by differences in political ideology because political ideology cannot skew data or outcomes. As a capitalistic society, the United States favors privatization over nationalization. This has its own benefits, such as providing individuals the incentive to work harder towards progress because they reap the benefits directly.

6 [Type text] One may argue that in the context of sustainable agriculture, the more cash strapped society could afford more resources or better research. Yet the bottom line that must be realized, is that within the scope of agriculture, there is not much room for differentiation. People need to eat. Food is the most visceral drive for human progress, because it forms the basis of human survival. Therefore no matter the social, historical, or political filters that are placed on the situation, people will try just as hard in any system to feed themselves. Organic farming is a route to obtaining food, and the success of one societys attempts at it is just as telling as anothers, because both still need the food.

There is no denial that modern agriculture needs to be changed. An agricultural system rampant of pesticide overuse and corporate GMO abuse is also straddled with the looming threat of world hunger. As Robert McNamara wrote in 1999 in Food Security, new solutions for the twenty first century, to meet food requirements in 2020 food production worldwide must increase by at least 1.5% to 2% a year. Sustainable agriculture offers promising ideas that may very likely be incorporated into future farming techniques. However there is still immense research that needs to be completed. As Cubas model of agriculture shows, the current ideas behind organic farming are rudimentary at best, struggling to maintain self-sufficiency. However, Cubas experiment provides valuable feedback on the current model of sustainable agriculture, and can be built on for future development and progress.

Works Cited "Central Intelligence Agency World Factbook." Central Intelligence Agency. CIA, n.d. Web. 14 Dec. 2012. Clairmont, Frederic F. "Cuba: The Renewal." Economic and Political Weekly 30.40 (1995): 2487+. JSTOR. Web. 13 Dec. 2012. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/4403301>. Cubas Food & Agriculture Situation Report. Rep. N.p.: USDA, 2008. CUBA'S FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SITUATION REPORT. Foreign Agriculture Service, USDA. Web. 14 Dec. 2012. Ewing, Ed. "Cuba's Organic Revolution." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 03 Apr. 2008. Web. 14 Dec. 2012. Leogrande, William M., and Julie M. Thomas. "Cuba's Quest for Economic Independence.(Statistical Data Included)." Journal of Latin American Studies 34.2 (2002): 325-63. JSTOR. Web. 13 Dec. 2012. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/3875792>. Moreno Fraginals, Manuel R., and Teresita Pedraza Moreno. "The Ten Million Ton Sugar Harvest." Miami Dade College. Miami Dade College, n.d. Web. 14 Dec. 2012. Rosset, Peter, and Medea Benjamin. The Greening of the Revolution: Cuba's Experiment with Organic Agriculture. Melbourne, Vic., Australia: Ocean, 1994. Print. Snow, Anita. "Living on Cuban Food Ration Isn't Easy." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 02 July 2007. Web. 14 Dec. 2012. Strange, Marty. The Economic Structure of a Sustainable Agriculture. Ed. Wes Jackson, Wendell Berry, Bruce Colman. Meeting the Expectations of the Land: Essays in Sustainable Agriculture and Stewardship. San Francisco: North Point P, 1984: 115-125. Print. "When Two plus Two Equals Three." The Economist. The Economist Newspaper, 06 Aug. 2009. Web. 14 Dec. 2012.