Cuba Reforms its Food Production Process

[IndianaGreen]

Cuba Reforms its Food Production Process

By Manuel E. Yepe

Since coming to power, and even before, the Cuban revolution has been characterized by its pragmatism within the context of very firm ethical principles. Undoubtedly this ability to correct errors and negative tendencies, without losing sight of the fundamental path, has been a big factor in the survival of the Cuban vision of social revolution, which for a half century has faced very complex tests, in the midst of great dangers.



We know that market economies always resort to centralization to correct their deficiencies. Similarly, centralized economies must adopt elements of the market into their systems when adjustments are needed.



In political economy this dichotomy has served both as a critique of capitalism for its blind dependence on the market and a critique of socialism for ignoring the market’s stubborn persistence.



Recently, under the guidance of its new president Raul Castro, Cuba has begun to implement a reform in food production that could be compared, in terms of its far-reaching economic and social scope, to the agrarian reforms of the early years of the revolutionary process.


One of the most significant changes has been to turn over idle land, under the terms of Decree Law 259, for use by state entities, cooperatives, and any Cuban citizen physically fit for agricultural labor.



The decree’s aim is to reverse the decline in the acreage of land being cultivated on the island, which fell some 33 percent between 1998 and 2007. After the decree went into effect, farmers were brought together through their local organizations to describe their needs in terms of machinery, spare parts, irrigation equipment, ploughs, wind mills, and other inputs needed to make the best possible use of the land.


http://www.politicalaffairs.net/article/articleview/7184/

[Jim Sagle]

1. Communism RRRRAWWWWXXXXXX!!!!!

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[babylonsister]

3. Obnoxious. How about possibilities? nt

[rAVES]

5. Did you even read the article?

[IndianaGreen]

6. The poster is also ignorant of the Jewish community in Cuba

There was officially sanction anti-Semitism in Cuba before the Revolution.

Israel was among the first countries to recognize Fidel's government. Israel was the first country to send advisors to Cuba to assist the cooperative farms being set up in Cuba. The Cuban government is spending lots of money in restoring old synagogues in Cuba, some dating back hundreds of years.

[Judi Lynn]

7. I remember reading about that, IndianaGreen. They helped them learn about organoponics, didn't they?

It seemed they had acquired some excellent agricultural skill and techniques bringing life to the deserts in Israel, and passed it on to Cuban workers. I believe I read that they also share some specialty crops like citrus trees, etc.

I've enjoyed everything I've found reading about the Jewish communities in Cuba, including first hand accounts of trips made by American Jews to meet their relatives there.

[Judi Lynn]

8. Pre-revolution Cuba, the anti-Semitic Cuba refused to allow European Jews sanctuary during WWII,

when they, in desperation, sailed on the SS St. Louis, hoping to find refuge there.

Strictly turned away, they had to go back to Germany. Very, VERY, VERY sad.

[babylonsister]

2. Sounds like great news. Go, Raul! He's trying. nt

[Demeter]

4. I Think the Lack of Corporations Is What Makes Cuba Work

Think about it. Eliminate corporations, and power is more evenly divided. Rights more respected universally, for all people. A major source of corruption doesn't exist, and it's easier to keep the government honest.

Just think about it.