Cuba currently imports some 80% of the food it consumes. After many years of working to develop high-input farming, the country now lacks these inputs, causing a negative effect on the volume of agricultural production. Organic agriculture has emerged by necessity rather than design, but it is now an attractive opportunity for both the Cuban State and farmers, as it doesn’t depend on the use of fossil fuels and uses locally available means of production. In addition, working with organic processes improves product quality and increases the cost-benefit ratio as well as resistance to climate change

Improve the quality of life of women and men in nine Cuban municipalities through sustainable increase in the availability of (healthy) food and better income for male and female farmers

Direct beneficiaries Two hundred and forty-four (244) farmers, of which 30% are women, link up with three value chains in nine of the nation’s 168 municipalities and increase their income by 35%. Two hundred and sixty thousand (260,000) persons incorporate healthy foods to their diet (fruits, vegetables, honey). Indirect beneficiaries Two thousand four hundred (2,400) farmers from another thirty municipalities, thus providing access to healthy food to some 900,000 persons.

1. A sustainable increase in productivity (15% to 25%) and in production (20% to 100%) of organic fruits, vegetables and honey in nine municipalities;
2. An increase in the value of selected organic products (price rise between 15% and 60%) with good acceptance and sales in the local and national markets
3. The organic production methods promoted by PAAS I are adopted by (2,000) other farmers and promoted by (at least thirty) more municipal authorities. The model is used by national authorities in the definition and improvement of agricultural policies.

Phase 1 01.01.2013 - 31.03.2018   (Completed)