UNDP extols Cuba’s efforts for food security

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) extolled Cuba's efforts to achieve food security at the 26th International Agroindustrial Food Fair (FIAGROP), which will conclude in this capital on Sunday.

As part of the event, a conference entitled “Efficiency and Sustainability” was presented by representatives of the European Union (INAG).

Producers and representatives of national institutions such as the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAG), the Agricultural Business Group (GAG), the Bank of Credit and Commerce (BANDEC), and the Livestock Business Group (GEGAN) took part in the meeting.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Livestock, Telce González, commented that one of the main challenges is ensuring that cooperation has a direct impact on the territories, municipalities, and farming families.

He also emphasized the importance of transforming production chains into true value networks that can connect to international markets.

For his part, the head of cooperation for the EU Delegation in Cuba, Pedro Campo, said that farmers here understand agriculture and livestock farming, and what they need is support.

Campo praised how cooperation can lead to experimental initiatives that allow for innovative solutions, for example, in the areas of microfinance and access to foreign exchange markets.

The UNDP Resident Representative in Cuba, Fernando Hiraldo, emphasized the need to consider the energy transition in actions, as well as to promote existing studies and solutions for the design of initiatives, especially in the areas of financing and financial education.

All of this contributes to promoting the empowerment of women and youths.

Along these lines, the representative in Cuba of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Marcelo Resende, also highlighted the importance of empowering producers and the strategic nature of EU cooperation in this country.

Producers from the central Cuban provinces of Villa Clara and Sancti Spíritus shared their experiences of how training and access to financing positively transformed their agricultural activity.

Diosmara de la Rosa, a producer from Sancti Spíritus, noted that the cooperation projects allowed them to grow as individuals and as farmers, and therefore hoped for increased growth. The debate dealt with the paths toward more effective and sustainable cooperation, which participants affirmed that they require consolidating strategic alliances, strengthening innovation, and guaranteeing access to financing.

Furthermore, they indicated that cooperation should not be conceived as the sole source of development, but rather advocated for the need for dynamism and inclusion with a real impact on the territories. Among the examples was the La Veguita farm in Remedios municipality, one of the experiences supported within the framework of EU cooperation with Cuba that contributes to food security in that area, complemented by solutions based on various financing schemes.