New regulations drive transformation of Cuban agriculture
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Cuba's agricultural sector now operates under a new legislative framework published in the Official Gazette - comprising one law, seven decree-laws, seven decrees, and five resolutions- designed to incentivize recovery through flexibilizations in land use and input markets, with the goal of achieving food sovereignty.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Telce González explained at a press conference that this Wednesday a law, seven decree-laws, seven decrees, and five resolutions were published in the Official Gazette—provisions characterized by their comprehensiveness, greater legal stability, organized decentralization, and broad participation of all economic sectors, with the aim of achieving food sovereignty.
He clarified that land belongs to the people and will continue to do so; however, as more actors join the production process, it becomes necessary to update the legal framework.
Law 185 on Agricultural and Forestry Land, he explained, ratifies state ownership of land and introduces significant changes: it expands the usufruct regime for natural persons, state, private, and mixed entities; increases the amount of land granted; and recognizes the property rights of usufructuaries over improvements and housing.
Likewise, it authorizes the granting of land for food production in favor of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, as well as for ecotourism projects.
Decree-Law 121 on Agricultural Cooperatives expands their powers in foreign trade, bank financing, and direct importation; permits secondary activities; and recognizes the formation and negotiation of prices between parties.
Decree-Laws 123 and 124, on zoogenetic and phytogenetic resources and seeds, respectively, increase activities related to prospecting, conservation, introduction, maintenance, documentation, and use of these resources, incorporating technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data.
Decree-Law 125, concerning mechanization, irrigation, drainage, and water supply, authorizes natural and legal persons to import non-certified equipment and broadens the definition of agricultural equipment.
Meanwhile, Decree 161 on Commercialization of Agricultural and Forestry Products allows producers to sell their crops freely without intermediaries, establishes incentives for the commercialization of inputs in foreign currency, expands the Agricultural Promotion Fund, and creates the Agricultural Fund.
For its part, Decree 162, which updates procedures for the slaughter, commercialization, and consumption of bovine and equine meats, grants greater flexibility, simplifies sanitary procedures, and opens new marketing channels.
The official added that Decree-Law 126 recognizes the non-state sector as an active subject in the use of soils and fertilizers.
He added that Decree-Law 127 on Veterinary Medicine authorizes self-employed workers and non-state entities to provide services, permits the creation of private laboratories for official controls, and extends veterinary assistance to all animal species, beyond companion pets.
González stressed that the great challenge lies in these norms being understood and assimilated immediately by all actors, so that their benefits translate into a better agricultural offering for the population. (Source: Prensa Latina)
