In a recent award ceremony, students from Group 104 of Accounting at the Instituto Politécnico Agropecuario (IPA) Mártires de Pino III were recognized with four pounds of coffee and an induction stove. This incentive was part of the school duties competition, a program aimed at boosting academic performance and student dedication.
The educational institution shared on social media, "As part of our school duties competition, Group 104 of Accounting at our IPA Mártires De Pino III is rewarded with four pounds of coffee and an induction stove to enjoy the Cuban tradition." This gesture appears to be an effort by the educational authorities at IPA Mártires de Pino III to enhance their students' academic achievements by providing them with a survival kit for exam periods, which includes a cooker and four pounds of coffee to stave off the fatigue that accompanies the accounting exercises in Cuba's agricultural sector.
This initiative is one of many similar efforts in a country where food scarcity and widespread poverty have led to awards comprised of root vegetables or personal care items. In the past, ETECSA workers have been rewarded with products such as bananas, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes, according to local media reports. In Guantánamo province, teachers were given a hand of bananas as an incentive.
There have also been instances where Cuban boxers received food and hygiene product bundles, and a taekwondo athlete in Guantánamo was rewarded with tomatoes and onions. A Cuban baseball player received a food package for not defecting during the Sub-23 baseball team’s stay in Mexico. Olympic champion Julio César La Cruz and Olympic judo medalist Idalys Ortiz have received similar gifts; Ortiz was greeted by neighbors with cakes and bread in a modest celebration.
Critics and Supporters of State Incentives
These types of incentives have faced criticism on social media and from independent media, while some pro-government journalists defend them as a demonstration of the State's efforts to acknowledge the achievements of its citizens.
Scarcity of Coffee in Cuba
The awarding of coffee as a reward to students occurs amidst a significant shortage of this commodity in Cuba. For several years, Cubans have struggled to obtain coffee, even through the rationed basic basket. In December 2021, Havana residents voiced dissatisfaction over the coffee shortage, officially blamed on a lack of packaging, although many citizens doubted this explanation.
The situation has worsened over time. By September 2023, it was reported that the Villa Clara roasting plant had been idle for weeks due to a lack of raw materials, affecting coffee distribution in various provinces. Moreover, in October 2023, the renowned Italian company Lavazza launched an exclusive range of premium coffee made with Cuban beans in Madrid, while Cubans on the island had been without coffee through the rationing system for months, as reported by CiberCuba.
This scarcity has turned products like coffee into valuable incentives. The awarding of four pounds of coffee to outstanding students highlights the reality in a country where basic goods are used as rewards due to their limited availability in the national market.
The Impact and Context of Coffee Scarcity in Cuba
Why are students in Cuba being rewarded with coffee?
Students are being rewarded with coffee as part of a program to boost academic performance. Due to the severe scarcity of coffee in Cuba, it has become a valuable incentive.
What is causing the coffee shortage in Cuba?
The shortage is attributed to a lack of raw materials and packaging, along with broader economic challenges impacting production and distribution.
How has the Cuban public reacted to these types of incentives?
Reactions have been mixed, with some criticizing these incentives as a sign of the government's failure to provide basic goods, while others defend them as efforts to recognize citizens' achievements.