"Cuba is involved in the most comprehensive conversion from chemical to organic agriculture that any nation has yet attempted."
Due to the severe shortage of hard currency for the importation of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, Cuba was forced, in the early 1990's to begin to practice organic agriculture on a nationwide scale, with some very exciting results. There are currently thousands of organic gardens in Havana alone and over a million across the country. In the late 1990's, the Cuban Association for Organic Agriculture was granted the International Right Livelihood Award (the Alternative Nobel Prize) for its efforts.
Organic agriculture continues to be supported and expanded at government and grassroots levels. Havana now grows over half its fresh food organically, and locally. According to some agriculturists, Cuba could be self sufficient in the production of many of its basic foods within the next decade.
All Cuban young people are introduced to agriculture and food production as part of their education, spending at least one summer of their high school years, farming in the countryside.
University graduates in agronomy contribute their knowledge of research, technology and administration in both rural and urban agricultural settings. Reversing a disturbing international trend, many educated young Cuban agriculturists return to the countryside because they are now offered a stimulating and productive work environment.
Please check out our Resources page for articles, blogs and videos on Sustainable Agriculture and other fields of environmental protection and sustainable development in Cuba.
Program Highlights may include:
- Meeting with the staff of the Antonio Núñez Jimenez Foundation for Nature and Humanity (oldest environmental NGO in Cuba)
- City Tour of Havana with Cuban Architect/Urban Planner
- Alamar (largest urban farm in Havana)
- Farmers' and crafts markets
- Urban and rural permaculture gardens
- Rural agricultural cooperative
- Pastures and Forages Station
- Agrarian University
- Cubasolar, NGO promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency
- Environmental meetings according to interests of participants
- Day or half day of service on rural farm
- Day or half day of hiking in Biosphere Reserve with naturalist
- Optional cultural activities
Articles, videos and blogs on Cuba's environmental policy and practice.
CO-ORGANIZING ORGANIZATIONS:
Eco Cuba Network, a project of Green Cities Fund, is an association of environmentalists devoted to interchange between US citizens and Cubans involved in environmental protection and sustainable development.
Green Cities Fund is an international human and environmental rights organization with a license to arrange educational "people to people" Cuba tours.
Our licensed Cuba Travel Service Provider is Marazul Charters, an organization with 40 years experience arranging Cuba travel for US citizens.
TOUR FEES:
Program and in-Cuba logistics:
16 – 20 participants: $2600
12 – 15 participants: $2700
Fee includes:
- Double-room accommodations in 3-4 star hotel
- Two meals per day
- Full daily program
- Experienced delegation guide / translator
- Transportation to and from all programmed activities
- Honoraria to all host speakers, organizations and communities
- Preparatory educational material
Program/in-Cuba logistics fee does NOT include:
- One meal per day
- Bottled water and other beverages
- Optional cultural activities
- Expenses of a personal nature
Charter flight fee: $550 – 575
Fee includes:
- Round trip Miami-Havana charter flight
- Cuban visa
- Required Cuban health insurance
- Assistance of Marazul Charters, licensed Cuba Travel Service Provider
REGISTRATION:
Please contact coordinator Pam Montanaro by email or call 510-319-4910 to be sent the registration packet for this Cuba program.
Eco Cuba Network, a project of the Green Cities Fund, is an association of environmentalists devoted to interchange between US citizens and Cubans involved in environmental protection and sustainable development.
