A Better World is Possible: Agroecology as a Response to Socio-Economic and Political Conditions in Cuba

Geography;sustainable agriculture;Cuba;rural development

Nelson, Erin

University of Waterloo

关键词: Geography;    sustainable agriculture;    Cuba;    rural development;   

Others  :  https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/bitstream/10012/2902/1/etnelson2006.pdf

瑞士|英语

来源: UWSPACE Waterloo Institutional Repository

【 摘 要 】

Over the past century global agriculture has come to be characterized by high levels of industrial inputs, as well as increasing consolidation of land ownership and a focus on export-oriented monocrop production. In spite of its dominance, this conventional model of food production has faced growing criticism for being environmentally, socially, and economically unsustainable, and alternatives such as organic agriculture are becoming increasingly popular. The rapid growth of these alternative modes of production raises questions regarding how sustainable food systems should be defined, how they might best be implemented, and how they can contribute to the overall goals of sustainabledevelopment.

Cuba is a recognized leader in the adoption of sustainable agriculture. This researchexamines the Cuban experience in an effort to determine how Cubans who work in theagricultural sector perceive and define agricultural sustainability, who the major actorshave been in the shift away from conventional techniques, and what the future challengesand opportunities for agroecology in the country might be. In order to address thesequestions interviews were conducted with Cubans involved in the agricultural sectorat the level of research, education, and extension, as well as with Cuban farmers. Inaddition, participant observation was carried out during a number of farm visits andwhile attending agricultural extension workshops.

The results of this study demonstrate that agroecology in Cuba is based on a widerange of techniques, including polyculture, mixed farming, animal traction, organic inputuse, and a focus on local food networks. For many farmers, the use of agroecologicaltechniques does not reflect a conscious choice on their part. Rather, their productiondecisions tend to be driven by a combination of resource shortages and strong stateinfluence at the farm level. Indeed, the shift towards agroecology in Cuba has largelybeen driven by national level actors, including the state, NGOs, and research institutes.As such, many farmers lack a sense of personal commitment to agroecology, and this may pose challenges for its present and future success. A further challenge is presented by a lack of resources for agroecological development and extension. The opportunity forprice premiums in the niche organic market could provide positive economic incentivesfor Cuban agroecology; however, this would imply shifting back to an export drivenagricultural economy, and the degree to which this is desirable or truly sustainable isquestionable.