As the Cuban economy grows – by 12.6% in 2006 – and living standards rise, this period of relative stability is allowing the revolution to boost energy efficiency and raise productivity within a socialist state.
Raising food production
Between 1989-93, with the collapse of the Soviet bloc, the Cuban economy shrank by 35% and living standards dropped. In the period 1990-1994, agricultural production halved. Al_though strict rationing of essential food items ensured that no-one starved – and life expectancy continued to rise and infant mortality to fall – life was not easy as average calorie intake per person fell from 3,130 a day in 1988-1990 to 1,863 in 1993. In its battle to maintain the socialist consciousness of the people, the Cuban Communist Party recognised an essential reality when in 1994, following a series of boat hijackings as some Cubans, seduced by CIA propaganda, sought a ‘better’ life in the US, Raul Castro stated that ‘right now, beans are more important than guns’. He called for farmers’ markets and organised Youth Army groups to produce and sell vegetables at low prices to the people, arguing that Cuba should become self-sufficient in food production. Other measures included setting up workers’ agricultural co-operatives throughout Cuba as well as a system of city allotments and by 2005 average calorie consumption had risen to 3,300 calories a day. However, Cuba still relies on millions of dollars worth of food imports – 7.8 million tons in 2006 – to achieve this.
Significant problems remain in the agricultural sector. While industrial production grew by 11.8% last year, there was a 7% drop in food production. Vice President Carlos Lage described food production as ‘insufficient’ and its distribution as ‘deficient’. This is partly accounted for by several years of drought and severe hurricanes, and abnormal temperatures and humidity this year which have all affected harvests. However, according to Granma, poor organisation, weak incentives, bad irrigation and a lack of agricultural inputs are also to blame. Of 800,000 hectares of land earmarked to be converted from sugar production to domestic agriculture, only 60% is being used.
In December 2006 the National Assembly identified delayed payments to farmers by state distributors as a major disincentive to production and delivery. Orlando Lugo, president of the National Association of Small Farmers, said that more tractors, farm equipment and fuel are needed: ‘There are co-operatives around Havana with the potential to double and even triple their production’. The Ministry of Finance is working to improve the situation. The harvest is expected to be up by a third at the end of 2007. More than a $100m over the 2006 level has been allocated to subsidise basic groceries for Cuban families.
Energy Revolution
The drive for greater efficiency goes hand in hand with the Energy Revolution, introduced in 2005 to find ways of making electricity more efficient, helping Cuba’s economy and environment. It aims to reduce reliance on hydrocarbons and has included conversion to more energy efficient technologies in transport, industry and domestic appliances, and intensive research into alternative energy sources, especially wind and solar power.
Blackouts have become a thing of the past. Cubans are feeling added benefits at home. Ten million inefficient light bulbs and appliances have been replaced by energy saving models. More than 223,000 efficient water pumps have been installed. The distribution of three million electric rice cookers (one for every household) and 2.5 million electric ovens has almost eliminated the need for any family to rely on gas, wood or harmful traditional fuels like kerosene. Work is also being done in the mass organisations to inform and educate the population in energy saving techniques.
Louis Brehony
FRFI 198 August / September 2007
