On Friday, President Miguel Díaz-Canel toured the Defense Zone of Capdevila-Altahabana in the Boyeros municipality of Havana. He urged local leaders to make use of idle agricultural lands as part of the National Defense Day observance.
Beyond the push to cultivate unused plots, the President of the National Defense Council also highlighted the need to focus on vulnerable sectors, encourage economic actors—both state-owned and private—to contribute to pension payments for retirees, and promote the adoption of renewable energy sources, according to a report by the official Canal Caribe television channel.
He emphasized the execution of 176 approved economic and social transformations in the country.
The defense zone he visited spans 11.4 square kilometers and is home to over 30,700 residents. Since May 5th, it has been preparing its forces to respond to potential military threats, as reported by official sources.
Unused Agricultural Potential
Díaz-Canel believes that one of the major untapped resources in this area is the availability of around 100 hectares suitable for agriculture, of which only approximately 50% is currently being utilized.
He stated that "no space should remain unplanted," advocating for both short-cycle and permanent crop varieties, including intercropping, as noted in a report by the Presidential portal.
Accompanying the leader were Esteban Lazo Hernández, President of the National Assembly of People's Power; Roberto Morales Ojeda, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party; and Lázaro Alberto Álvarez Casas, Minister of the Interior and Army Corps General.
Also in attendance were Major General Ernest Feijóo Eiró, head of the Western Army; Liván Izquierdo Alonso, President of the Provincial Defense Council; Yucleidi Ramírez, President of the Municipal Defense Council; and the presidents of Boyeros' defense zones.
Addressing a Food Crisis
This initiative comes as Cuba faces one of its worst food crises in decades, with the country relying on imports for 70% to 80% of its food consumption, costing nearly $2 billion annually, according to estimates.
In August, Díaz-Canel visited Cubanacán's Defense Zone in Playa, encouraging the transformation of every available plot into a garden. That same month, he revisited the Roble-Chibás Defense Zone in Guanabacoa, reiterating the importance of local food production.
A month prior, in July, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz called for planting in Arroyo Naranjo, emphasizing the key role of food production: "Unlike other defense zones, you have land," he told residents.
Back in May, addressing foreign communists in Havana, Díaz-Canel stated that Cuba should consume what it can produce rather than what it imports.
However, agricultural outcomes have not matched this rhetoric. Rice production plummeted from 304,000 tons in 2018 to a mere 111,000 tons in 2025, against an estimated demand of 600,000 tons.
Amid an energy crisis that hampers agricultural machinery, Cuban farming has reverted to using oxen and windmills.
The national economy's decline compounds these challenges. According to The Economist Intelligence Unit, Cuba's GDP is projected to contract by 7.2% this year, the largest drop among 27 regional economies, with an accumulated decline of 23% since 2019.
Understanding Cuba's Agricultural and Economic Challenges
Why is Díaz-Canel focusing on the cultivation of idle lands?
Díaz-Canel is pushing for the use of idle lands to boost local food production amid Cuba's severe food crisis, which forces the country to import a significant portion of its food.
What are the economic reforms Díaz-Canel is emphasizing?
Díaz-Canel is advocating for the implementation of 176 economic and social transformations approved to improve the country's economic situation.
How has the energy crisis affected Cuban agriculture?
The energy crisis has hindered the use of modern agricultural machinery, causing Cuban farmers to revert to traditional methods such as using oxen and windmills.
What is the current state of Cuba's rice production?
Cuba's rice production has drastically decreased from 304,000 tons in 2018 to just 111,000 tons in 2025, falling short of the estimated demand of 600,000 tons.