Following the uproar and mockery among Cubans after a regime official suggested abandoning rice and potato consumption, state-run media has stepped in to shift the narrative, now emphasizing "resilient crop cultivation."
On Sunday, the government-backed publication Cubadebate praised the adoption of agroecological practices in Holguín, highlighting efforts to replace artificial fertilizers and support food sovereignty programs and resilient crop cultivation.
The article paints a rosy picture: 4,000 hectares have benefited from the production of vermicompost and compost.
"These initiatives also reduced costs, as industrial fertilizers are highly priced on the international market and their importation is restricted due to the intensified economic, commercial, and financial blockade by the United States against Cuba," the article states.
The government's damage control efforts began on Saturday after Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz posted a message on social media, celebrating the "progress" of the Urban, Suburban, and Family Agriculture program, which sparked a wave of ridicule and ironic comments.
The tweet, which came amidst widespread food shortages and skyrocketing market prices, was met with a flood of criticism. Many users reminded him that the urban gardens touted during the 1990s as a solution to hunger during the Special Period are now neglected or overgrown with marabou weed.
This week, a media scandal erupted over comments by Dr. Roberto Caballero, a member of the National Executive Committee of Agricultural and Forestry Technicians. Caballero claimed on the state-run program Cuadrando la Caja that a key issue in Cuban agriculture is that citizens "have gotten used to eating foods that are not native to the country," referring to rice and potatoes.
"We are not Asian. Eating rice is not a Cuban habit," he stated, sparking widespread outrage and thousands of mocking reactions online.
Many believe the official narrative aims to deflect state responsibility and frame what is essentially a structural collapse of the agricultural system as a "cultural problem."
Meanwhile, market shelves remain barren. A pound of rice exceeds 200 pesos on the informal market, and potatoes—if available—are sold at prices unaffordable for most.
Understanding the Shift in Cuban Agriculture
Why is the Cuban government promoting resilient crop cultivation?
The government is emphasizing resilient crop cultivation to counter the backlash from previous comments on reducing rice and potato consumption and to promote food sovereignty amid economic challenges.
What sparked the recent controversy over rice and potatoes in Cuba?
Controversy arose after a government official suggested Cubans should move away from eating rice and potatoes, leading to public outcry and media scrutiny.
How are Cubans responding to the government's agricultural strategies?
Many Cubans have reacted with skepticism and ridicule, particularly on social media, due to past failures and ongoing food shortages.