Dr. Roberto Caballero, a member of the Executive Committee of Agricultural and Forestry Technicians, stated on the state-run program Cuadrando la Caja that one of the main challenges to achieving food sovereignty in Cuba is the eating habits of its people.
Amidst the agricultural sector's crisis, food shortages, and escalating inflation, Caballero highlighted that the Law on Food Sovereignty and Nutritional Security advocates not just for increased food production but also for a shift in Cuban dietary patterns.
"A major issue impacting agricultural production is our accustomed consumption of foods that aren't native to our country," he remarked.
Caballero cited potatoes as an example, describing them as an Andean tuber that, according to him, "has never acclimated to Cuba's climate and soil conditions."
He pointed out that the government spends more on inputs and seeds than it gains from production profits. He noted that decades ago, potatoes were stored in refrigerators to maintain supply throughout the year, but the state lost "over half of the product due to spoilage before reaching consumers."
As an alternative, Caballero suggested boosting native crops like malanga, sweet potatoes, yams, and yucca, which are better suited to local conditions and require fewer imported resources. However, in Cuban markets, neither potatoes nor these so-called prosperous native crops are readily available.
During his speech, Caballero also criticized the high rice consumption in Cuba, labeling it a learned habit. "We are not Asians. Eating rice isn't inherently Cuban. It's part of our traditions, but that can change. Now more than ever, with the current scarcity, people will accept whatever you offer them," he stated with a smile.
His comments sparked reactions on social media, with many users accusing the speech of shifting blame for the country's food crisis onto the public instead of acknowledging the structural issues within the state-run agricultural system.
Several aspects of the program faced criticism. Notably, the absence of any farmers, providing only the state’s perspective, which is biased and conceals the true problems of Cuban agriculture.
One user commented bluntly: "Food production can't happen without investment in agriculture. The communists had the brilliant idea to spend money on hotels, even as tourist numbers decline yearly, instead of investing in agriculture and energy sectors. It's unprofitable for farmers to keep cattle because they can't sell milk or meat except to the state, at state-set prices. Fields are overrun with marabou, pests are uncontrolled, African snails run rampant, and farmers aren't paid on time for what they deliver to the industry. Achieving different results is impossible this way. They've been doing everything wrong in the agricultural sector for 60 years."
Understanding Cuba's Agricultural Challenges
Why does Cuba have issues with potato production?
Potatoes are not well-suited to Cuba's climate and soils, leading to high costs and spoilage, as noted by Dr. Roberto Caballero.
What crops does Cuba's government suggest growing instead of potatoes?
The government recommends cultivating native crops like malanga, sweet potatoes, yams, and yucca, which are better adapted to local conditions.
How have social media users reacted to Caballero's statements?
Many users criticized Caballero's remarks, arguing that they shift the blame for the food crisis onto the population instead of addressing systemic agricultural issues.