Cuba has eventually opened their doors to private farmers by allowing leasing rights of land for the first time after several decades. By this decision the President Raul Castro is reaffirming that he wants to actively engage and speed up the economic reforms that has been awaited by the people ever since he took office in February this year.
The decision has been largely welcomed by everyone as the country is strapped with severe food shortage in the wake of hurricanes which hit Cuba recently. One of the local news weeklies reported that the land was extended to the agri-community in July, and the applications for the same were opened through September in the Granma province. According to the reports, 33 parcels totaling 350 hectares (865 acres) were leased to farmers, co-operatives, individuals and other entities.
Applications had been submitted for 61,808 hectares (152,725 acres) of the 76,675 hectares (189,461 acres) of state lands in the Granma province. However, there has been no official announcement on this matter so far, and not sure whether the process has taken concrete shape elsewhere in the country. Farmers from other provinces stated that they were informed about the likely leasing to take place in few weeks’ time in their provinces too.
The decision strongly suggests Castro is making serious efforts to bring about the required reforms to make the country to be more competitive, productive and self-sufficient as major chunk of its food needs are met through imports. Raul, in a short span of time has brought about changes in the agriculture sector to enhance the food production including decentralization of decision-making, reduction in bureaucratic intervention and by increasing prices.
The decree issued in July stated highly productive private farmers with proven track record can increase their current land to a maximum of 40 hectares (99 acres) for a period of 10 years with a renewal option. It further said, the co-operatives and state-run farms could request for additional land for 25 years with a renewal option for another 25 years.
The government holds 70% of the arable lands of the country, out of which more than 50% has not been cultivated. This hurricane season has destroyed a major portion of the country’s food crops in recent months, and this is also believed to be another reason for speedy land leasing measures.
Toboc Trade News