Cuba is experiencing one of the worst food crises in decades, characterized by chronic shortages, a decline in national agricultural production, and an almost complete dependence on imports that the country can no longer afford.
In the midst of a severe food crisis, a joint agricultural project between Cuba and Vietnam is progressing in the municipality of Los Palacios, in the province of Pinar del Río, with the goal of planting 1,000 hectares of rice.
According to the official site Guerrillero, the initiative, led by the Vietnamese company Agri VMA, aims to transform the region into a high-tech rice production zone, in yet another attempt by the regime to produce food in a country already plunged into extreme poverty.
The project began to take shape in 2023 when Agri VMA assessed the climatic conditions, soil, and agricultural infrastructure in Cuba. Although the selected lands present challenges such as erosion and nutrient deficiency, factors like water availability, mechanized planning, and the technical skill level of the farmers made Cubanacán the ideal location for establishing the crop.
More than 800 hectares planted and first harvests
To date, 871 hectares have already been planted, and the goal of reaching a thousand is expected to be achieved before the end of May. In an initial phase, 16 hectares were harvested out of season, yielding 6.5 tons per hectare, a result that the Vietnamese side considers promising.
The infrastructure in the area allows for the processing of more than 700 tons of wet paddy rice daily and over 400 tons of consumption rice, as confirmed by Ariel García Pérez, director of the Grains Industrial Company Los Palacios. In addition, the Camilo Cienfuegos mill, which was damaged by Hurricane Ian, has resumed operations with a capacity of 70 tons per day.
Three models of cooperation and technological expansion
The project is developed under three productive models:
Model 1: Rental of Cuban services and machinery by Agri VMA.
Model 2: Mixed cooperation, where Vietnam provides inputs (seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and technical advice) and Cuba provides labor and machinery. This model is currently being tested on 16 hectares and will expand to an additional 200 hectares by June 2025.
Model 3: Direct marketing of Vietnamese agricultural inputs in Cuba, already initiated through deliveries to EMSA and registration of varieties.
The project also includes the production of seeds in Cuba. Two pure varieties of Vietnamese rice—OM 5451 and OM18—from the Mekong Delta Rice Institute, suitable for Cuban conditions, are being cultivated. These varieties are expected to provide local seeds for up to 6,000 hectares in the future.
Obstacles and bilateral support
Despite logistical challenges such as fuel shortages, energy issues, and outdated machinery, the director of Agri VMA, Nguyen Thi Thom, regarded the progress as "very significant" and urged both governments to continue supporting the expansion of the project.
"The ultimate goal is to increase national rice production, ensure the supply of seeds in Cuba, and in the long term, establish a reference rice-growing area for the country,” said Thom during a recent visit to the Cubanacán area and after speaking with the aforementioned media outlet.
Cuba is experiencing one of the worst food crises in decades, characterized by chronic shortages, a decline in national agricultural production, and a nearly absolute dependence on imports that the country can no longer afford.
The shortage of basic products such as rice, milk, flour, or oil has turned daily meals into a constant struggle for millions of Cubans. Long lines, empty markets, and the disproportionate rise in food prices in the informal sector are part of everyday life for a population that survives on wages that barely cover a quarter of the basic basket.
The causes of this emergency are numerous: the structural inefficiency of the state agricultural system, the lack of supplies and fuel, the dollarization of many essential products, and the sharp decline in national production.
This is compounded by the impact of external sanctions, natural disasters, and the lack of deep reforms. Meanwhile, projects supported by international assistance—such as the rice initiative in Pinar del Río—barely manage to meet a fraction of the domestic demand, leaving the majority of the population in a state of severe food insecurity.
Frequently asked questions about rice production in Cuba and its collaboration with Vietnam
What does the joint project between Cuba and Vietnam for rice production involve?
The joint agricultural project between Cuba and Vietnam aims to cultivate 1,000 hectares of rice in Pinar del Río through the Vietnamese company Agri VMA. The initiative seeks to turn the region into a high-tech rice production area, with the goal of increasing national rice production, a critical necessity in the current context of food shortages in Cuba.
What are the productive models implemented in the rice project between Cuba and Vietnam?
The project is developed under three productive models: 1) Rental of services and Cuban machinery by Agri VMA, 2) Mixed cooperation in which Vietnam provides inputs and technical advice, while Cuba contributes labor and machinery, and 3) Direct commercialization of Vietnamese agricultural inputs in Cuba. These models aim to optimize available resources and improve efficiency in rice production.
What challenges does the rice project in Cuba face?
The project faces challenges such as a lack of fuel, energy issues, and outdated machinery. Furthermore, the selected lands are experiencing erosion and a deficiency of nutrients. Despite these obstacles, the project has made significant progress, according to Vietnamese authorities, who have urged both governments to continue supporting the initiative to increase production and ensure the supply of seeds in Cuba.
What is the impact of the food crisis in Cuba?
Cuba is experiencing one of the worst food crises in decades, characterized by chronic shortages, a decline in domestic agricultural production, and a dependence on imports that the country cannot afford. The scarcity of basic products such as rice, milk, and flour has turned daily sustenance into a constant struggle for millions of Cubans, who face long lines, empty markets, and exorbitant prices in the informal market.
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