Caring In Crisis: Food Sovereignty
Entry to urban home garden supported by the permaculture network of the FANJ.
Dear friends and colleagues,
During the ongoing pandemic, it is so important that we feed ourselves and each other with healthy, nourishing foods. It is equally crucial that we take care of the environment, so that it will continue feeding us into the future.
In week four of our special Caring in Crisis (#COVID-19) newsletter, we share the latest updates on Cuba during coronavirus, and take a look at how the pandemic is impacting food security and sovereignty (plus, keep scrolling for some timely musical selections from Cuba!)
Cuba’s unique experiences in land, food, and farming have long been of interest to us, at the Platform. Many of you have visited Finca Marta or Vivero Alamar with us and discussed the complexities of Cuba’s food system while visiting markets and restaurants. The topic is particularly close to heart for our Managing Director, Justine, who first came to work in Cuba via the island’s internationally renowned small farmer and agroecology movements. In her words, “Meeting Cuban farmers, eating at their tables, and learning about Cuban agricultural history showed me that it is possible – even practical – to create systems under which food security and sovereignty is possible for everyone in a society. Although Cuban farming is sometimes characterized as under-productive and under-resourced, the reality is that there are a multitude of farmers in every city and rural area across the island who have sustained the country during challenging times; and who can show us all a road map for getting through this crisis.”
Cuba and COVID-19
As of last night, Cuba has 564 cases of coronavirus, 1867 patients under observation in hospitals, and 9761 people under observation for possible cases in their homes. 15 people have died. As a result of increased local transmission, the country is entering a new phase of the pandemic, and is putting new measures into place. Several areas, including El Carmelo, Vedado in Havana, the Camilo Cienfuegos community in Pinar del Rio, and most recently the neighborhood El Naranjal in Matanzas are isolated – with no exit or entry permitted – in order to prevent the spread. Public alcohol consumption has been prohibited as well as all non-essential work. Yesterday, President Diaz Canel announced further restrictive measures which include the suspension of public transportation and the suspension of licenses for private taxis, starting tomorrow, and the closing of shopping malls in Havana, and progressively in the other provinces. He also exhorted citizens to comply with the measures, stay home, and avoid contact with others, as the only way to fight the virus, which is projected to reach its peak in Cuba by May 15. Only one member per household will be allowed to leave the house to purchase food and essential products. A homeopathic remedy, PrevengHo-Vir, is being distributed to the elderly to increase resistance against the virus. Medical personnel are continuing to knock on doors in order to monitor health neighborhood by neighborhood, and the country continues to support international efforts to care for patients.
Stop Sanctions Against Cuba
Individuals and groups around the world continue to speak out against the U.S. sanctions against Cuba, and call for relief. Petitions are circulated asking Trump to lift restrictions and the United Nations to intervene.
Food Security and Global Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating and far-reaching impacts on local, national, and global food and agricultural systems; adding to the precarity already being experienced as a result of climate change. In the United States, enormous amounts of produce and milk are going to waste as institutional and restaurant purchasing drops off, and re-allocation to grocery stores and consumers faces logistical challenges. Meanwhile, the safety of farm workers on large farms remains an urgent concern.
Cuba’s Food and Farming Systems
Cuba has long struggled to increase domestic agricultural supply. Although the country is largely self-sufficient in the production of fruits, vegetables, eggs and some other foods (and more self-sufficient than is often reported!), the country is heavily dependent on imports for staples including rice and chicken. Before the coronavirus crisis began, Cuban president Diaz-Canel called for food sovereignty and the Cuban Ministry of Agriculture announced new plans to increase production and limit imports. Now, with COVID-19, the need has become even more urgent. As reported in Reuters, “Cubans are defying fear of the coronavirus to search for food as global trade disruptions worsen shortages of basic goods in the Caribbean.”
Cuba’s Agroecological Solution
But as Ricardo Torres points out, simply ramping up production within the existing agricultural system is difficult to imagine during the pandemic, as inputs and materials will be in short supply. In the words of another economist, the sector may need to be completely revolutionized. A paper from Cuban agroecologist Luis Vasquez highlights agroecology, urban farming, diversification of crops, renewable energy, and the farmer-to-farmer movement – practices which helped Cuba survive the Special Period of the 1990s – as strategies to emerge from the COVID-19 crisis: “Agroecology has gained attention not only as a way to bring significant social, economic and environment benefits to rural families, but also as a way to feed urban populations in an equitable and sustainable way… There is an urgent need to promote new, local food systems in order to guarantee the production of abundant, healthy, and accessible foods.” We highlight an example in our short documentary of Fernando Funes Monzote (included below).
Food Solidarity
Getting food to the most vulnerable populations requires not only healthy, sustainable systems, but also good distribution. In Cuba, many community, youth and religious organizations are showcasing solidarity by delivering food to elderly and vulnerable populations. The small business sector has even gotten involved – donating delivery meals to those in need.
We hope that this update has provided some food for thought during a challenging time. Wherever you are sheltered in place, we hope that you are safe, healthy, and well-nourished.
Stay tuned for more updates in the coming weeks. And as always, please reach out if you have any resources or reflections you would like to share, or topics you’d like to see explored here.
Take Care,
Sarah, Justine and Mariakarla
