Alternative agriculture and crisis in Cuba

摘要

The 1989-1990 collapse of trade relations with former socialist bloc countries plunged Cuba into an economic and food crisis. Cuban farmers, scientists, and planners responded with alternative agricultural technology to make up for the imported inputs that are no longer available. Significant progress has been made that may serve as a model for other countries, but there remains a long way to go if Cuba is to create a truly sustainable agriculture. The paper discusses how the economic development in Cuba was moulded by two external forces. It considers the onset of the crisis and the implementation of alternative technologies, such as biopesticides.