During a recent trip to the municipalities of Jobabo and Colombia in Las Tunas province, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel declared that the country currently has “much more land under cultivation than in previous periods.” However, this statement starkly contrasts with the harsh realities faced by Cuban citizens, who endure a severe food and agricultural crisis.
Díaz-Canel attributed this alleged progress to the Cuban people’s understanding that “we must move forward on our own, relying on our talent and hard work, rather than depending on imports,” as reported by the state-run Tunas Visión channel. The channel framed this as a success of the current agricultural context, yet failed to provide any concrete figures or verifiable data to support the claim.
The Ongoing Challenges in Cuban Agriculture
Despite the optimistic rhetoric, Díaz-Canel omitted the numerous challenges plaguing the agricultural sector, such as shortages of supplies, fuel, and machinery, coupled with bureaucratic hurdles that impede food production and distribution.
This is not the first time Díaz-Canel has made such pronouncements. In May 2024, during a visit to San Luis, Santiago de Cuba, he urged citizens to “plant more” and claimed that “there is land here to produce the food we need.” However, these exhortations have yet to yield substantial improvements in agricultural output or food accessibility for the Cuban populace.
Contradictory Government Actions
While the government promotes the notion of boosting domestic production, in November 2024, it revoked land usufruct from 137 farmers in Ciego de Ávila, citing “repeated violations of current legislation.” This action contradicts efforts to encourage agricultural production and creates uncertainty among producers.
Furthermore, in March 2025, the government announced the legalization of land usufruct for foreign companies and individuals with permanent residency on the island as part of a strategy to enhance agricultural output. This decision has sparked criticism, as it is seen as prioritizing foreign entities over local producers.
Reality of Declining Production
Despite official statements, Cuba’s rice production is experiencing one of its worst downturns in decades, reaching only 30% of the harvest levels seen in 2018. This situation highlights the ineffectiveness of the policies in place and the lack of genuine support for the agricultural sector.
In this context, Díaz-Canel’s claims about increased cultivated land appear disconnected from the reality faced by the Cuban people, who struggle daily with food shortages and limited access to basic goods.
Exploring the Challenges in Cuban Agriculture
What challenges does the Cuban agricultural sector face?
The Cuban agricultural sector struggles with shortages of supplies, fuel, and machinery, as well as bureaucratic obstacles that hinder food production and distribution.
How has the Cuban government contradicted its agricultural goals?
While promoting increased domestic production, the Cuban government revoked land from farmers and prioritized foreign entities, actions that conflict with its stated goals.
What is the current state of rice production in Cuba?
Cuba’s rice production is in crisis, achieving just 30% of the levels harvested in 2018, indicating serious issues in the agricultural sector.