Cuban Prime Minister called for greater efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency

Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz stressed that becoming food self-sufficient is a matter of national security and called to work harder to this end during the annual review meeting of the National Commission in charge of this issue.

The official acknowledged what has been accomplished so far but pointed out that much remains to be done, on grounds that there’s no room for complacency until the country achieves true food sovereignty and food and nutrition security, a goal that can only be realized on the Cuban family’s table.

Mr. Marrero also called for innovative solutions to the problems still facing the enforcement of the country’s Food Sovereignty and Food and Nutrition Security Act by strictly observing the current food production and agricultural control programs implemented at local level, and pointed out that every municipality must understand that the safest foods are those that they can produce themselves.

The Premier praised the efforts deployed by the farmers and peasants and thanked the United Nations agencies in Cuba for their contribution in such difficult times, marked by the tightening of the U.S. blockade.

He concluded by stressing the importance of boosting food production everywhere, including schools, communities and workplaces, as well as the key role played by the Urban, Suburban and Family Agriculture Program in the attainment of the country’s objectives.