The Context

Cuba is one of the largest Small Island Developing States. The country is facing its worst economic crisis since the 1990s as tourism declines, inflation increases and a severe shortage of essential supplies continues. 

Cuba’s agricultural and livestock sectors have low productivity due to decreased investments, limited technical assistance, a lack of technological innovation, land degradation and the effects of climate change. As a result, local food production is insufficient to meet demand. Cuba imports up to 80 per cent of its food requirements. 

The Strategy

IFAD is modernizing Cuba’s agricultural sector by developing non-state smallholder cooperatives and providing technical assistance and training to increase the assets of these cooperatives.  

Key activities include: 

• increasing crop production and productivity, mainly for maize and beans which are essential components of the Cuban diet; 

• improving living conditions for poor rural people; and 

• supporting the sustainable growth of the livestock sector by increasing the production and sale of milk and meat.