Sustainable urban agriculture in cuba contemporary cuba. It is a fascinating story of dealing with peak oil, something the whole world now faces. Sustainable and urban agriculture was a logical response of cubans to their resource constraints. How cuba leads the world in permaculture podcasts parts. Urban agriculture in cuba transitioned from a crisis model that emerged as a response to the economic crisis of the 1990s to a permanent model characterized by its local focus, diversity of economic actors, and relative decentralization.
Cuba has already accumulated significant experiences in the transition towards a more sustainable agriculture. The urban agriculture in cuba a productive and popular movement with ecological bases. Sustainable agriculture and food security in an era of oil scarcity. Sustainable urban agriculture in cuba researchgate. Stocktake and opportunities article pdf available in international journal of agricultural sustainability 812.
In 2003, more than 200,000 cubans were employed in urban agriculture. The cuban ministry of agriculture supported them and, in 1994, an urban agriculture department uad was formed. Through meetings, site visits, service and informal interactions, participants will learn about cubas policy and practice in the field of sustainable agriculture, especially the integration of both the environmental and social aspects of achieving success in this field. Jun 15, 2014 the following is an excerpt from carey clouses farming cuba. Sustainable urban agriculture in cuba request pdf researchgate. It will also draw attention to how the phenomenon of urban agriculture is claimed to.
This urban agriculture movement generated valuable lessons in organic farming for cuba. Sustainable urban agriculture in cuba global delivery. The us has a lot to learn from cuba about sustainable. Cubas achievements in urban agriculture are truly remarkablethere are 383,000 urban farms, covering 50,000 hectares of otherwise unused land and producing more than 1. She introduced the key concept of ua as an urban agricultural system that aims to produce food focused upon urban and peri urban methods of intensive food production. Research initiative for the sustainable development of cuba. Cubas preeminent role in sustainable agriculture was a result of the collapse of the soviet bloc and the immediate disinvestment in its sovietsubsidized. Transforming food production in cuba is the story of cubas achievements in the use sustainable agriculture, organic farming, urban gardens, smaller farms, animal traction, and biological pest control to feed the country. The agribusiness threat to farmers, food and the environment, edited by fred magdoff, john bellamy foster and frederick h. Urban farming and its necessity in cuba 289 views 0 by erika as more and more people are moving to cities and becoming disconnected from their food sources, growing food in cities known as urban farming or urban agriculture is becoming an essential part of models for sustainable city life. Regional leader in sustainable agriculture cornucopia. The us has a lot to learn from cuba about sustainable agriculture.
In 2010, after their first eco cuba network trip, they remained in cuba for 6 weeks, researching organic farms and getting to know cuba more deeply. Articles cuba urban farming cities urban planning editorial garden urban agriculture urban agriculture series food farms cite. The urban agriculture can be defined as the production of foods inside the confines of the cities. Marisol is a specialist in urban agriculture at inifat. Hallmarks of cubas organoponico system have been sustainable produce production, low levels of pesticide use, and other organic farming practices, such as crop rotation and soil management. Sinan koont has spent the last several years researching urban agriculture in cuba, including field work at many sustainable farms on the island. Cubas success has made the island nation the leading model of largescale sustainable agriculture throughout the world. Through the land reform of 2008 and the lineamientos of 2011, the cuban. Agriculture has played an enormous role in cuba s history.
A successful case study of sustainable agriculture. Jul 17, 2015 cubas urban agriculture revolution cuba lost food imports and agricultural inputs due to the collapse of the soviet bloc in 1989 cuban ministry of agriculture supported the rising grassroots movement in havana that had residents growing fruits and vegetables wherever they could find space 50% of havanas produce is grown within city. This chapter discusses the urban agriculture program implemented in cuba in the mid1990s special period in response to a food security crisis. Transforming food production in cuba is the story of cubas achievements in the use sustainable agriculture, organic farming, urban gardens, smaller farms, animal traction, and biological pest control to feed the country paperback. Request pdf on jan 1, 20, c ergas and others published sustainable urban agriculture in cuba find, read and cite all the research you need on. A lack of infrastructure, market mechanisms, legal frameworks, and production quotas for certain crops have stymied expansion. About 30% of the countrys land is used for crop cultivation. This chapter discusses the urban agriculture program implemented in cuba in the mid1990s special period in response to a food security crisis, as an example of legal change in response to. Cuban experience also indicates sustainable urban economic activity as a by product.
Areas of particular interest and expertise include cold war studies, sustainable development, heritage, and the environment. Cuba, a model of sustainable agriculture towards global food security by debora iozzi, research associate at the council on hemispheric affairs with the collapse of the soviet union and the tightening of the u. We are specialized in all relevant fields of sustainable development. Cubans turned to sustainable agriculture without the use of petro chemical fertilizers and pesticides which were no longer available. Agriculture has played an enormous role in cubas history. Moreover, urban farming has become a source of national pride cuba has one of the best urban agriculture programs in the world, with a thousandfold increase in urban agricultural output since 1994. In sustainable urban agriculture in cuba, sinan koont indicates that most of the global south has lost any semblance of food sovereigntythe ability to be selfsufficient, to practice a more sustainable form of agriculture, and to direct farming toward meeting the needs of people within a country, rather than producing cash crops for export. Organoponicos, such as the one shown here, are one of the most common urban production systems in cuba. Urban agriculture in cuba has played an important role for citizens food supply since the collapse of the eastern block. Why so many havana residents grow their own food citylab. World sustainable agriculture association fall 1996, vol. Cuba, a model of sustainable agriculture towards global food. Mar 15, 2016 cuba still imports most of its food, raising the question of just how replicable its sustainable agriculture models are. Mar 01, 2016 the cuban ministry of agriculture supported them and, in 1994, an urban agriculture department uad was formed.
Generation and delivery of renewable energy based modern energy service. Particularly familiar with cuba and its challenges and potential, we support the country in its reform process. Urban agriculture, urban farming, or urban gardening is the practice of cultivating, processing. Urban farmers who follow sustainable agriculture methods can not only help to.
Cubas urban agriculture revolution cuba lost food imports and agricultural inputs due to the collapse of the soviet bloc in 1989 cuban ministry of agriculture supported the rising grassroots movement in havana that had residents growing fruits and vegetables wherever they could find space 50% of havanas produce is grown within city. Today, the united states faces its own farm crisis. But watson says much of whats imported cant be grown in cubas. Hunger propelled cuba to adopt permaculture approaches to urban and rural agriculture. While accounting for a relatively small of total agricultural output, and a correspondingly small share of total agricultural. This eco cuba network trip is being organized for students and professors of antioch university new england. Urban dwellers ranging 2530 % are involved worldwide in the agrofood sector. Urban farming and its necessity in cuba field study of. With little outside help, cuba launched the most intensive transition to lowinput sustainable and organic agriculture the world has seen to date. International perspectives on sustainable agriculture in cuba.
From green revolution to a sustainable agriculture cuba in the early 1990s. Traditional lowinput agricultural techniques, based on organic pests control and crop diversification, has been the backbone of the ecological food production in cuba. May 24, 2012 articles cuba urban farming cities urban planning editorial garden urban agriculture urban agriculture series food farms cite. However, this effort could be thwarted by changing economic conditions if sustainable agriculture is viewed as a temporary solution to overcome the consequences of the crisis. Today, cubas agriculture model is a unique blend of modern and traditional agriculture. The overall objective of the project is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by supporting renewable energy technologies based power generation through business models in cuba and other small island nations that are very sensitive to global warming, as well as adding to the energy security. Scott chaplowe, ma, conducted graduate field research in cuba in november 1994 and august 1995 for his masters thesis in geography at ucla.
Cubas capital city havana is cited as a worldleading example of good practice in urban food cultivation, producing up to 100% of its fresh vegetables. The cuban agricultural model permaculture magazine. The process of carbon sequestration can be further improved by combining. Moreover, urban farming has become a source of national pridecuba has one of the best urban agriculture programs in the world, with a thousandfold increase in urban agricultural output since 1994. Pdf sustainable agriculture in cuba and its implications matt. Urban agriculture in havana cuba city farmers urban. Increasing food sovereignty with urban agriculture in cuba. The cuban experience also indicates sustainable urban economic. Whats more, a 2007 report by the global footprint network found cuba to be the only country on the planet with both, a reasonable standard of living and a sustainable ecological footprint. She introduced the key concept of ua as an urban agricultural system that aims to produce food focused upon urban and periurban methods of intensive food production. Reprinted with permission, from the wsaa newsletter, a publication of the world sustainable agriculture association fall 1996, vol.
Urban agriculture can promote a wide range of sustainable development goals for example, food security, energy efficiency, waste management, and employment. Urban agriculture is practiced on an unparalleled scale in havana, cuba. This chapter discusses the urban agriculture program implemented in cuba in the mid1990s. Yet, today, it is only 5% of the gdp with a possibility for expansion. The countrys innovative solution was urban organic farming, the creation of organoponicos. Maintain an adequate and sustainable supply of food. Food now takes far less time to get to the people, who are now better nourished because they have easier access to whole foods. Cuba, a model of sustainable agriculture towards global.
Maintain an adequate and sustainable supply of food to the urban areas of cuba, particularly havana. Lisas writings on cuban agriculture and urban development in cuba are widely quoted. Urban agriculture legal structures industrial food systems. The conversion to sustainable agriculture food politics. The biggest experiment in lowinput, sustainable agriculture in world history is occurring now in cuba. In havana, 90% of the citys fresh produce came from local urban farms and gardens, all organic. The overall objective of the project is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by supporting renewable energy technologies based power generation through business models in cuba and other small island nations that are very sensitive to global warming, as well as adding. Agriculture in cuba has played an important part in the economy for several hundred years. The following is an excerpt from carey clouses farming cuba. In 1993, the government restructured half of state. Today, cuba has become a regional leader in sustainable agricultural research. She gave an introduction to the basic structures behind urban agriculture ua in cuba. Food security in cuba has greatly improved, but remains an issue. One of the most productive urban agriculture systems in cuba is known as an organoponico, which is a large, raisedbed system in which the growth medium is usually a mixture of soil and composted.
Cuba retooled its agricultural programs to focus on urban agriculturesustainable, ecologically sound farming close to densely populated areas. Gonzalezcorzo urban agriculture in cuba tr ansitioned from a crisis model that emerged as a response to the economic crisis of the 1990s to a permanent model characterized by its local focus, diversity of economic actors, and relative decentralization. Urban agriculture is present throughout the world in a diversity of farming systems. Urban agriculture from the ground up, which explores cubas impromptu agricultural development after the dissolution of the soviet. Apr 03, 2008 the collapse of the soviet union forced cuba to become selfreliant in its agricultural production. Project muse sustainable urban agriculture in cuba. As largescale industrial agriculture comes under increasing scrutiny because of its petroleum and petrochemicalbased input costs and environmentally objectionable consequences, increasing attention has been focused on sustainable, local, and agroecological techniques in. It will only continue if is perceived as a vital necessity. Eco cuba network designs cuba research tours for environmental institutions, organizations, and for associations of professional environmentalists, activists and university students you select the tour theme. Pdf increasing food sovereignty with urban agriculture in cuba. Cuba presents a useful case study because the country has endured a food crisis and has thrived.
Smallscale crops or plantings by state producers e. Today, it contributes less than 10% to the gross domestic product gdp, but it employs about 20% of the working population. Before the special period began, cuba had used far more petroleumbased pesticides than the entire united states morgan et al. Urban agriculture in cuba is guided by six fundamental principles. Urban agriculture in havana centre for public impact cpi. Urban agriculture, cuba, agroecology, sustainable agriculture, food security.
The sudden collapse of the socialist bloc, upon which cuba had been highly dependent for trade and aid, has forced an abrupt and difficult conversion from conventional agriculture to organic farming on a nationwide scale. Jan 29, 2016 food security in cuba has greatly improved, but remains an issue. Urban agriculture will gain in recognition for its benefits and services because urban population and rural urban migration are increasing. Cuba still imports most of its food, raising the question of just how replicable its sustainable agriculture models are. Hallmarks of cuba s organoponico system have been sustainable produce production, low levels of pesticide use, and other organic farming practices, such as crop rotation and soil management. In response, a large sustainable agricultural movement began morgan et al. In 2003, cuba had reduced its use of diesel fuel by more than 50%, synthetic fertilizers by 90%, and chemical insecticides by 83%. The collapse of the soviet union forced cuba to become selfreliant in its agricultural production. However, despite generating valuable lessons in urban agriculture, it is worth noting the urban farming movement in cuba is still relatively small. Cubas preeminent role in sustainable agriculture was a result of the collapse of the soviet bloc and the immediate disinvestment in its sovietsubsidized petroleumbased agriculture infrastructure. Kati is a graduate student in the social documentation program at uc santa cruz, where she is producing her first documentary film about sustainable agriculture education in cuba.
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