by Keith Locke
Back in the 1990s the Cuban economy was in deep trouble. The Soviet Union collapsed, as did its trade with Cuba. Cuba didn’t have much money to import food or buy fertilisers. The obvious answer was to expand local agriculture, using organic methods. People in Havana were encouraged to grow veges, and community gardens mushroomed. I saw several as I drove around Havana last week.
Last Thursday I visited Havana’s Alamar cooperative, where 170 members cultivate 11 hectares with dozens of varieties of vegetables, fruit and herbs. The director, Miguel Salcines Lopez, told me they are constantly experimenting, such as with fungi to increase root spread. Interweaved with the veges are many types of flowers, calculated to confuse the insects and avoid the use of insecticides. Among the free benefits coop members receive are breakfasts and lunches, no interest loans, plus a hairdressing and a nail polishing service! I walked past a board listing amounts distributed to coop members that month. Long serving workers were getting a greater share of the cake as an incentive to stay on. Nearby was a classroom where local students were learning about urban agriculture.
Cuba is quite big on teaching people how to garden. Dotted around Havana are garden consultancy offices called CTAs, which also sell plants. My friend Jesus translated the mission statement on the wall of one as: “We are suporters of urban agriculture. We pay visits to your home. We have a staff of professionals able to resolve the problems of your plants and crops. Ask for our service!” Alongside was another poster reading: ”Our green programme. It’s object is to reverse the silent disaster of deforrestation. It’s also to give the new generations a reforested city.”
Published in Environment & Resource Management by Keith Locke on Tue, May 31st, 2011
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on the trolls and those who are unable to keep on topic
Interesting – about how large are these urban gardens?
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The best way to encourage community gardening is to stuff up your economy (and agriculture) so much, that there’s no other option. The National government seems to be following much the same plan.
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Thanks Keith! Never been sure about much of Cuban politics but I love the idea of community gardens all over the place
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Have always loved this concept. I’m always supporting and encouraging the planting of fruit trees and edible plants in public and private spaces. NZ is the perfect country to be self-sufficient for food, lots of land per capita! Also using our minds to best advance the economy instead of relying on heavy dairy. I like Sir Paul Callaghan’s ideas:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhCAyIllnXY
I hope everyone with influence can watch him.
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Cuba is quite big on teaching people how to garden?? are they still producing the famous cuban cigar because i love it and along the sieges imposed by the yankies,i couldn’t get alot of economic news from Cuba
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We are seeing a lot of community gardens initiated in new subdivisions in Oregon. It is a great idea. Helps people to be self sufficient and to get to know neighbors.
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