Especialistas villaclareños obtienen el primer híbrido de malanga
DDC | Santa Clara | 7 de Enero de 2017 - 10:30 CET.
Los especialistas del Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones de Viandas
Tropicales (INVIT), en Villa Clara, obtuvieron el primer híbrido de
malanga en Cuba, según dio a conocer el periódico estatal Trabajadores.
Además, según explicó Sergio Rodríguez Morales, director del INVIT, han
obtenido un clon de plátano burro superior a la actual variedad más
fuerte (la CEMSA: ABB subgrupo "Plantain").
Este clon se incorpora para buscar una mayor biodiversidad e impedir la
explosión de una plaga entre el plátano burro.
En cuanto al híbrido de malanga, el INVIT señaló que esta nueva variedad
tiene como característica ser resistente a las plagas y de altos
rendimientos.
"Este resultado permite hacer una transmisión de caracteres favorables a
otro cultivo que no lo tiene o lograr una especie de sinergismo con el
que la descendencia sea superior a los progenitores", explicó Rodríguez
Morales.
Asimismo, se refirió a "la nueva plaga surgida en Cuba para las
malangas" que afectan más a las malangas verdes que a las de pecíolo
morado.
La información de las malangas moradas podrá incorporarse a esta nueva
variedad de mayor rendimiento.
Estos aportes del INVIT y de otros centros investigativos de Villa Clara
les han valido ser la sede del Día de la Ciencia en el país que se
celebrará el próximo 15 de enero.
Source: Especialistas villaclareños obtienen el primer híbrido de
malanga | Diario de Cuba -
http://www.diariodecuba.com/cuba/1483781419_27941.html
Saturday, January 7, 2017
Autoridades dicen que la actual zafra ya tiene la mayor producción en 20 años
Autoridades dicen que la actual zafra ya tiene la mayor producción en 20
años
DDC | La Habana | 6 de Enero de 2017 - 23:48 CET.
Autoridades cubanas aseguraron este viernes que la zafra 2016-2017
cuenta con suficiente caña, mejor equipamiento y preparación, ha logrado
un rendimiento industrial superior en 8% al planificado y puede producir
más azúcar.
El director de Informática y Análisis del Grupo Azucarero, Dionis Pérez,
dijo que actualmente están en operaciones unos 46 ingenios de los 54 que
intervendrán en la campaña, según recoge la oficial Prensa Latina.
La zafra chica —que comprende desde la arrancada en noviembre hasta
finales de diciembre—logró la mayor producción en los últimos 20 años en
ese período, afirmó el funcionario.
Dijo además que el volumen alcanzado de azúcar representa cerca del 12%
del plan de toda la campaña.
Según Pérez, hay que elevar el nivel de explotación en los ingenios,
pues se logra en el país una media del 70%, contra un 75% programado.
Hay centrales que sobrepasan el índice planificado, pero otros se quedan
por debajo, añadió.
"Es momento de producir más azúcar, de aprovechar las condiciones
favorables del clima, de caña suficiente y de mayores resultados en la
cosecha, que cuenta con mejor equipamiento y recursos", aseguró.
Un 58% del volumen de caña que llega a los basculadores de las fábricas
mediante tiro automotor fue cosechado previamente con combinadas
—máquinas autopropulsadas— de elevada productividad, lo cual permite que
la materia sea transportada en menos de 24 horas y redunda en mayor
frescura y producción.
De acuerdo con el medio estatal, el Gobierno cubano espera alcanzar un
crecimiento en su producción azucarera del 12% en la presente zafra
respecto al plan de la anterior campaña.
En la anterior campaña se incumplió el plan. Se vio afectada seriamente
por excesivas lluvias pero también por ineficiencia industrial en un
grupo de territorios, entre otros problemas que reconocieron las
autoridades.
En la presente zafra, según han afirmado funcionarios, se cuenta con
modernas combinadas y tractores provistos de esteras que pueden sortear
con éxito la cosecha en condiciones de alta humedad de los campos.
Source: Autoridades dicen que la actual zafra ya tiene la mayor
producción en 20 años | Diario de Cuba -
http://www.diariodecuba.com/cuba/1483742909_27938.html
años
DDC | La Habana | 6 de Enero de 2017 - 23:48 CET.
Autoridades cubanas aseguraron este viernes que la zafra 2016-2017
cuenta con suficiente caña, mejor equipamiento y preparación, ha logrado
un rendimiento industrial superior en 8% al planificado y puede producir
más azúcar.
El director de Informática y Análisis del Grupo Azucarero, Dionis Pérez,
dijo que actualmente están en operaciones unos 46 ingenios de los 54 que
intervendrán en la campaña, según recoge la oficial Prensa Latina.
La zafra chica —que comprende desde la arrancada en noviembre hasta
finales de diciembre—logró la mayor producción en los últimos 20 años en
ese período, afirmó el funcionario.
Dijo además que el volumen alcanzado de azúcar representa cerca del 12%
del plan de toda la campaña.
Según Pérez, hay que elevar el nivel de explotación en los ingenios,
pues se logra en el país una media del 70%, contra un 75% programado.
Hay centrales que sobrepasan el índice planificado, pero otros se quedan
por debajo, añadió.
"Es momento de producir más azúcar, de aprovechar las condiciones
favorables del clima, de caña suficiente y de mayores resultados en la
cosecha, que cuenta con mejor equipamiento y recursos", aseguró.
Un 58% del volumen de caña que llega a los basculadores de las fábricas
mediante tiro automotor fue cosechado previamente con combinadas
—máquinas autopropulsadas— de elevada productividad, lo cual permite que
la materia sea transportada en menos de 24 horas y redunda en mayor
frescura y producción.
De acuerdo con el medio estatal, el Gobierno cubano espera alcanzar un
crecimiento en su producción azucarera del 12% en la presente zafra
respecto al plan de la anterior campaña.
En la anterior campaña se incumplió el plan. Se vio afectada seriamente
por excesivas lluvias pero también por ineficiencia industrial en un
grupo de territorios, entre otros problemas que reconocieron las
autoridades.
En la presente zafra, según han afirmado funcionarios, se cuenta con
modernas combinadas y tractores provistos de esteras que pueden sortear
con éxito la cosecha en condiciones de alta humedad de los campos.
Source: Autoridades dicen que la actual zafra ya tiene la mayor
producción en 20 años | Diario de Cuba -
http://www.diariodecuba.com/cuba/1483742909_27938.html
Friday, January 6, 2017
Cierran agromercado de la calle Egido, en La Hababa
Cierran agromercado de la calle Egido, en La Hababa
La medida forma parte de una arremetida gubernamental
Miércoles, enero 4, 2017 | Orlando Freire Santana
LA HABANA, Cuba.- Transcurridos los días feriados de inicio de año, el
cuarto día de enero permitió comprobar que se había hecho realidad el
rumor que corría de boca en boca: fue cerrado el mercado agropecuario de
oferta-demanda de la calle Egido, en el municipio de Habana Vieja.
Por supuesto que no se trató de un episodio aislado. Este cierre forma
parte de una ofensiva gubernamental contra los mercados de
oferta-demanda —recordar lo sucedido con la Plaza de Cuatro Caminos—,
acusados por las autoridades, y también por algunos consumidores
ingenuos, de explotar al pueblo con sus altos precios.
Este tipo de establecimiento, regido por las leyes del mercado, surgió
en 1994, y desde entonces se dijo que el Gobierno no interferiría en la
fijación de sus precios, sino que crearía una red de mercados estatales
con precios topados que competirían con los de oferta-demanda, y así
automáticamente bajarían los precios. Tal afirmación nos hizo pensar que
no se repetiría el error de 1986, cuando Fidel Castro, de un plumazo,
desbancó los mercados libres campesinos.
Además, la "Conceptualización del Modelo Económico y Social Cubano de
Desarrollo Socialista", en su acápite 94, se refiere a la necesidad
objetiva del reconocimiento del mercado en las actuales condiciones de
la economía cubana.
Sin embargo, la incapacidad gubernamental para competir con los mercados
de oferta-demanda ha propiciado que los elementos de línea dura de la
nomenclatura impongan una vez más sus políticas de cierres y prohibiciones.
Días antes del cierre recogimos las impresiones de un vendedor del
mercado de Egido, y también las de un consumidor que semana tras semana
acudía allí para adquirir las viandas, vegetales, frutas y productos
cárnicos que necesitaba.
El primero expuso el abandono en que quedan muchos de los trabajadores
del citado mercado: "A algunos vendedores les han ofrecido plazas en los
mercados estatales que han creado últimamente, pero a otros solo les
espera la calle. En mi caso específico parece que no tendrán en cuenta
que llevo 22 años trabajando aquí, y que me encuentro cerca de la edad
de jubilación. Tendré que arreglármelas como pueda".
El consumidor, por su parte, mostró la preocupación de aquellos que ven
peligrar la existencia de los mercados mejor abastecidos de la isla: "Yo
realmente no entiendo a esas personas que se quejan de los precios en
estos mercados de oferta-demanda. Nadie los obliga a venir aquí. Que
vayan a los mercados estatales con precios topados. Ah, pero lo que
sucede es que los estatales casi siempre están desabastecidos. Los
inauguran hoy, a veces con bombo y platillo y la televisión incluida,
pero a las pocas semanas ya no encuentras casi nada en ellos".
Y concluye el consumidor: "Claro que me gustan los productos con precios
asequibles. Pero si me ponen a escoger ante una situación extrema, no
tengo dudas sobre cuál es mi elección. Prefiero los precios altos antes
que las tarimas vacías".
Hace poco funcionarios de los Ministerios de la Agricultura y el
Comercio Interior habían declarado que, uno a uno, todos los mercados
agropecuarios de oferta-demanda serían sustituidos por agromercados
estatales con precios topados.
Para algunos analistas se trata de un retroceso en el contexto de las
reformas raulistas.
Source: Cierran agromercado de la calle Egido, en La Hababa | Cubanet -
https://www.cubanet.org/mas-noticias/cierran-agromercado-de-la-calle-egido/
La medida forma parte de una arremetida gubernamental
Miércoles, enero 4, 2017 | Orlando Freire Santana
LA HABANA, Cuba.- Transcurridos los días feriados de inicio de año, el
cuarto día de enero permitió comprobar que se había hecho realidad el
rumor que corría de boca en boca: fue cerrado el mercado agropecuario de
oferta-demanda de la calle Egido, en el municipio de Habana Vieja.
Por supuesto que no se trató de un episodio aislado. Este cierre forma
parte de una ofensiva gubernamental contra los mercados de
oferta-demanda —recordar lo sucedido con la Plaza de Cuatro Caminos—,
acusados por las autoridades, y también por algunos consumidores
ingenuos, de explotar al pueblo con sus altos precios.
Este tipo de establecimiento, regido por las leyes del mercado, surgió
en 1994, y desde entonces se dijo que el Gobierno no interferiría en la
fijación de sus precios, sino que crearía una red de mercados estatales
con precios topados que competirían con los de oferta-demanda, y así
automáticamente bajarían los precios. Tal afirmación nos hizo pensar que
no se repetiría el error de 1986, cuando Fidel Castro, de un plumazo,
desbancó los mercados libres campesinos.
Además, la "Conceptualización del Modelo Económico y Social Cubano de
Desarrollo Socialista", en su acápite 94, se refiere a la necesidad
objetiva del reconocimiento del mercado en las actuales condiciones de
la economía cubana.
Sin embargo, la incapacidad gubernamental para competir con los mercados
de oferta-demanda ha propiciado que los elementos de línea dura de la
nomenclatura impongan una vez más sus políticas de cierres y prohibiciones.
Días antes del cierre recogimos las impresiones de un vendedor del
mercado de Egido, y también las de un consumidor que semana tras semana
acudía allí para adquirir las viandas, vegetales, frutas y productos
cárnicos que necesitaba.
El primero expuso el abandono en que quedan muchos de los trabajadores
del citado mercado: "A algunos vendedores les han ofrecido plazas en los
mercados estatales que han creado últimamente, pero a otros solo les
espera la calle. En mi caso específico parece que no tendrán en cuenta
que llevo 22 años trabajando aquí, y que me encuentro cerca de la edad
de jubilación. Tendré que arreglármelas como pueda".
El consumidor, por su parte, mostró la preocupación de aquellos que ven
peligrar la existencia de los mercados mejor abastecidos de la isla: "Yo
realmente no entiendo a esas personas que se quejan de los precios en
estos mercados de oferta-demanda. Nadie los obliga a venir aquí. Que
vayan a los mercados estatales con precios topados. Ah, pero lo que
sucede es que los estatales casi siempre están desabastecidos. Los
inauguran hoy, a veces con bombo y platillo y la televisión incluida,
pero a las pocas semanas ya no encuentras casi nada en ellos".
Y concluye el consumidor: "Claro que me gustan los productos con precios
asequibles. Pero si me ponen a escoger ante una situación extrema, no
tengo dudas sobre cuál es mi elección. Prefiero los precios altos antes
que las tarimas vacías".
Hace poco funcionarios de los Ministerios de la Agricultura y el
Comercio Interior habían declarado que, uno a uno, todos los mercados
agropecuarios de oferta-demanda serían sustituidos por agromercados
estatales con precios topados.
Para algunos analistas se trata de un retroceso en el contexto de las
reformas raulistas.
Source: Cierran agromercado de la calle Egido, en La Hababa | Cubanet -
https://www.cubanet.org/mas-noticias/cierran-agromercado-de-la-calle-egido/
Monday, January 2, 2017
Christmas for Rich People and for Poor People
Cuba: Christmas for Rich People and for Poor People / Iván García
Ivan Garcia, 24 November 2016 — Two trucks with trailers, full of
reddish-brown earth, park in a narrow street, next to the agricultural
market in Mónaco, a neighbourhood thirty minutes from the centre of Havana.
Four men with teeshirts and dirty overalls lug sacks of yucas and sweet
potatoes, and boxes of tomatoes to a store with a door made of metal
bars. A chap with an enormous stomach cups his hands to his mouth and
shouts "Get your yucas here! A peso a pound. Three-cane tomatoes,
knock-down prices."
In a few minutes, in the hot sun, a queue was formed of twenty or thirty
people, each with their own basket. A few yards away from the
agricultural market, in a state market, there is an even longer queue,
to buy pork.
Rubén, a retired chap, joined the queue at five in the morning. And by
mid-day, "I still haven't bought two legs of pork, one for the 24th and
the other for December 31st. It's because pork is cheaper in
the government markets. They sell loin of pork at 21 (Cuban) pesos a
pound, and it's 25 pesos in the private ones."
You can hear murmuring and complaints. The legs have an odd colour. A
lady said, "They don't look like pork. It's because they keep it for so
many months in the fridge that the meat gets a strange colour. They say
when you eat it, it tastes like fish or game. Maybe it isn't even pork.
You never know with those people (the government). They sell coffee
thickened with chickpeas, cigarettes sold in Cuban pesos with bits of
wood in them."
But it's the cheapest option for Cubans who have coffee without milk and
bread without butter for breakfast. Diana, a housewife, is optimistic.
"At least tomatoes were much cheaper this year, 3 pesos a pound. Last
year at this time they were going for 25 baros (one of many terms for
Cuban Convertible pesos (CUC))" she recalls, and adds:
"Cubans are born to work. Three days before New Year's Eve, many
families have not yet bought their pork. And not very many can buy
nougat. Look at those prices", she adds, indicating a selection
of nougats displayed in the counter of a foreign currency shop.
Prices may be cheaper than in Miami. Jijona soft nougat costs the
equivalent of four dollars. Ones with fruit, nuts, almonds or chocolate,
around five dollars. "Yes, but in 'Mayami' people get eight dollars an
hour, while in Cuba, people earn 20 dollars a month. And the average
pension is 12 CUC. There's no comparison", replies a man waiting
angrily in the government market queue.
Let's take the Rodriguez family as a microcosm. Six people live in a
two-bedroom apartment in La Víbora. "My wife, daughter and I sleep in
one bedroom. My in-laws and our son sleep in the other one," says
Rodriguez. His wife and he are professionals and together earn the
equivalent of 2,500 Cuban pesos, if you add in the 25 CUC she is paid as
a salary incentive.
"My parents' pension is 570 Cuban pesos. We have a total of 3,070 Cuban
pesos coming into the house, which converts to 125 CUC" (about the same
in dollars), notes Mrs Rodriguez, as she goes over their expenses once
more. "Ninety per cent of the money goes on food. The rest on
electricity, telephone and other services. Buying clothes, going
anywhere or celebrating Christmas means inventing stuff."
All Cubans know what "inventing" means. Pinching things from where they
work, or running a business on the side which provides some extra cash.
Christmas Eve dinner at the Rodriguez house will include a leg of pork,
four fricasseed turkey thighs, rice, black beans, lettuce, cabbage and
tomato salad, yuca with mojo sauce, Jijona nougat, cut into twelve
pieces, two for each one of the six family members.
The kids drink pop and the adults half a dozen canned Cristal beers and
a bottle of red wine. As well as the nougat, the dessert also includes
doughnuts prepared by grandma. "We eat and drink the same at New Year's,
except that, instead of red wine, we drink rum. The cost of the dinners
for the 24th and 31st of December adds up to around 120 or 130 CUC,
which is about the same as what we both earn in a month. Cuba is a crazy
country, don't you think?" asks Sr. Rodríguez.
Quite a lot of Cubans don't celebrate Christmas. Not because of Fidel
Castro's death, but because they can't afford to. "If all the butcher
has is chicken, because fish is hard to come by, I get annoyed and buy
two boxes of cheap Planchao rum to celebrate Christmas Eve. Right now, I
don't have any plans for parties," says René, a construction worker.
But a small minority, between 7 and 10 per cent of the population, have
enough cash. Augusto, a musician, has already bought a frozen turkey for
60 CUC, six different nougats, three crates of beer, and six bottles of
mature rum. For the 31st, he plans to buy El Gaitero cider and some
bunches of grapes (traditionally eaten at New Year's). And he has put up
an enormous Christmas tree in his living room, covered in balls and lights.
Mario, an independent furniture designer, is planning to spend 60 CUC a
head for his wife and himself on 24th December at Meliá Habana, a hotel
in Miramar, which also offers lunch at 25-27 CUC for adults and 15 CUC
for children up to 12 years old, and evening meals on the 31st for 145
CUC for adults and 55 for children up to 12.
The generals, ministers and government officials with sufficient
seniority receive a basket with a turkey, fruit, bottles of rum and
wines, nougats and other delicacies. Even during the hard times, when
Fidel Castro prohibited parties at Christmas and Three Kings Day, the
olive green middle class never failed to celebrate Christmas Eve.
"The first time I saw so much food was in the house of Enrique Lusson,
who was then Minister of Transport. There were tables overflowing with
meat, seafood and drink", recalls a MININT (Ministry of the Interior)
security guard.
The story of having to scrimp and save is about the other people, the
ones lower down. The higher-ups are different. Their lives are hardly
affected by the rules. Although, maybe, this 31st December, they will
see in 2017 with moderation, since they should show discreet mourning
for the death of their commander-in-chief.
Photo: A typical Cuban Christmas Eve meal for 24th December, is some
variation on pork, whether it's roast, as in the picture, or a suckling
pig, and fritters.
Translated by GH
Source: Cuba: Christmas for Rich People and for Poor People / Iván
García – Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/cuba-christmas-for-rich-people-and-for-poor-people-ivn-garca/
Ivan Garcia, 24 November 2016 — Two trucks with trailers, full of
reddish-brown earth, park in a narrow street, next to the agricultural
market in Mónaco, a neighbourhood thirty minutes from the centre of Havana.
Four men with teeshirts and dirty overalls lug sacks of yucas and sweet
potatoes, and boxes of tomatoes to a store with a door made of metal
bars. A chap with an enormous stomach cups his hands to his mouth and
shouts "Get your yucas here! A peso a pound. Three-cane tomatoes,
knock-down prices."
In a few minutes, in the hot sun, a queue was formed of twenty or thirty
people, each with their own basket. A few yards away from the
agricultural market, in a state market, there is an even longer queue,
to buy pork.
Rubén, a retired chap, joined the queue at five in the morning. And by
mid-day, "I still haven't bought two legs of pork, one for the 24th and
the other for December 31st. It's because pork is cheaper in
the government markets. They sell loin of pork at 21 (Cuban) pesos a
pound, and it's 25 pesos in the private ones."
You can hear murmuring and complaints. The legs have an odd colour. A
lady said, "They don't look like pork. It's because they keep it for so
many months in the fridge that the meat gets a strange colour. They say
when you eat it, it tastes like fish or game. Maybe it isn't even pork.
You never know with those people (the government). They sell coffee
thickened with chickpeas, cigarettes sold in Cuban pesos with bits of
wood in them."
But it's the cheapest option for Cubans who have coffee without milk and
bread without butter for breakfast. Diana, a housewife, is optimistic.
"At least tomatoes were much cheaper this year, 3 pesos a pound. Last
year at this time they were going for 25 baros (one of many terms for
Cuban Convertible pesos (CUC))" she recalls, and adds:
"Cubans are born to work. Three days before New Year's Eve, many
families have not yet bought their pork. And not very many can buy
nougat. Look at those prices", she adds, indicating a selection
of nougats displayed in the counter of a foreign currency shop.
Prices may be cheaper than in Miami. Jijona soft nougat costs the
equivalent of four dollars. Ones with fruit, nuts, almonds or chocolate,
around five dollars. "Yes, but in 'Mayami' people get eight dollars an
hour, while in Cuba, people earn 20 dollars a month. And the average
pension is 12 CUC. There's no comparison", replies a man waiting
angrily in the government market queue.
Let's take the Rodriguez family as a microcosm. Six people live in a
two-bedroom apartment in La Víbora. "My wife, daughter and I sleep in
one bedroom. My in-laws and our son sleep in the other one," says
Rodriguez. His wife and he are professionals and together earn the
equivalent of 2,500 Cuban pesos, if you add in the 25 CUC she is paid as
a salary incentive.
"My parents' pension is 570 Cuban pesos. We have a total of 3,070 Cuban
pesos coming into the house, which converts to 125 CUC" (about the same
in dollars), notes Mrs Rodriguez, as she goes over their expenses once
more. "Ninety per cent of the money goes on food. The rest on
electricity, telephone and other services. Buying clothes, going
anywhere or celebrating Christmas means inventing stuff."
All Cubans know what "inventing" means. Pinching things from where they
work, or running a business on the side which provides some extra cash.
Christmas Eve dinner at the Rodriguez house will include a leg of pork,
four fricasseed turkey thighs, rice, black beans, lettuce, cabbage and
tomato salad, yuca with mojo sauce, Jijona nougat, cut into twelve
pieces, two for each one of the six family members.
The kids drink pop and the adults half a dozen canned Cristal beers and
a bottle of red wine. As well as the nougat, the dessert also includes
doughnuts prepared by grandma. "We eat and drink the same at New Year's,
except that, instead of red wine, we drink rum. The cost of the dinners
for the 24th and 31st of December adds up to around 120 or 130 CUC,
which is about the same as what we both earn in a month. Cuba is a crazy
country, don't you think?" asks Sr. Rodríguez.
Quite a lot of Cubans don't celebrate Christmas. Not because of Fidel
Castro's death, but because they can't afford to. "If all the butcher
has is chicken, because fish is hard to come by, I get annoyed and buy
two boxes of cheap Planchao rum to celebrate Christmas Eve. Right now, I
don't have any plans for parties," says René, a construction worker.
But a small minority, between 7 and 10 per cent of the population, have
enough cash. Augusto, a musician, has already bought a frozen turkey for
60 CUC, six different nougats, three crates of beer, and six bottles of
mature rum. For the 31st, he plans to buy El Gaitero cider and some
bunches of grapes (traditionally eaten at New Year's). And he has put up
an enormous Christmas tree in his living room, covered in balls and lights.
Mario, an independent furniture designer, is planning to spend 60 CUC a
head for his wife and himself on 24th December at Meliá Habana, a hotel
in Miramar, which also offers lunch at 25-27 CUC for adults and 15 CUC
for children up to 12 years old, and evening meals on the 31st for 145
CUC for adults and 55 for children up to 12.
The generals, ministers and government officials with sufficient
seniority receive a basket with a turkey, fruit, bottles of rum and
wines, nougats and other delicacies. Even during the hard times, when
Fidel Castro prohibited parties at Christmas and Three Kings Day, the
olive green middle class never failed to celebrate Christmas Eve.
"The first time I saw so much food was in the house of Enrique Lusson,
who was then Minister of Transport. There were tables overflowing with
meat, seafood and drink", recalls a MININT (Ministry of the Interior)
security guard.
The story of having to scrimp and save is about the other people, the
ones lower down. The higher-ups are different. Their lives are hardly
affected by the rules. Although, maybe, this 31st December, they will
see in 2017 with moderation, since they should show discreet mourning
for the death of their commander-in-chief.
Photo: A typical Cuban Christmas Eve meal for 24th December, is some
variation on pork, whether it's roast, as in the picture, or a suckling
pig, and fritters.
Translated by GH
Source: Cuba: Christmas for Rich People and for Poor People / Iván
García – Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/cuba-christmas-for-rich-people-and-for-poor-people-ivn-garca/
Arkansas congressman to reintroduce legislation to ease trade restrictions with Cuba
Arkansas congressman to reintroduce legislation to ease trade
restrictions with Cuba
By Frank E. Lockwood
This article was published today at 5:45 a.m.
WASHINGTON -- A congressman from northeast Arkansas will reintroduce
legislation to ease trade restrictions with Cuba, and says he's hopeful
that barriers to agricultural sales will be addressed early in 2017.
But there's plenty of uncertainty after the Nov. 8 presidential election
and the Nov. 25 death of Fidel Castro, the 90-year-old former Cuban
president.
It's unclear whether President-elect Donald Trump would be willing to
support the bill, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, a
Republican from Jonesboro.
The federal government currently bars farmers from extending credit to
Cuban purchasers. As a result, Cubans must provide "cash in advance"
whenever they purchase U.S. agricultural products. Crawford's
legislation would allow credit to be extended, a change favored by many
of the state's farm groups.
NATIONAL
H.R. 3687, the Cuba Agricultural Exports Act, also would have allowed
Americans to invest in Cuban agricultural businesses that are not
controlled by the government there.
Arkansas produces roughly half of the nation's rice. The state, along
with Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina, also is one of the largest
poultry producers.
Chicken and rice are dietary staples in Cuba, population 11.3 million,
and Natural State farmers are eager to do business there.
Crawford's bill had 48 co-sponsors, including U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman,
a Hot Springs Republican. But it encountered fierce opposition,
particularly from the Cuban-American community.
"There were a whole lot of folks that just wanted to make sure Fidel
Castro was dead before they considered anything," Crawford said.
Now that the Cuban revolutionary leader is gone, it may be easier for
the legislation to advance, he said.
"We're not trying to do anything that would empower the regime,"
Crawford said.
But America shouldn't surrender the Cuban market to communist
competitors from China and elsewhere, Crawford said.
"We can play a positive role there, fill that void, give them a cheaper,
safer more readily available food supply or we can continue to view this
through the lens of the Cold War and allow them to continue down that
communist road that doesn't work for anybody," he said.
Before the rise of Castro, the U.S. was a major supplier of rice to
Cuba. But the trade ended with the implementation of an economic embargo
by the United States in the early 1960s.
Restrictions on the sale of certain agricultural products were eased
during the Clinton administration and by 2004 U.S. rice sales reached
$64 million. The exports ended, however, after the U.S. government
barred farmers from extending credit to Cuban purchasers.
Over the past two years, President Barack Obama has taken steps to
normalize relations between the United States and its communist
neighbor, opening an embassy in Havana, adding daily flights, removing
barriers to travel and allowing increased imports of Cuban cigars and rum.
The prohibition on agriculture credit, however, remains.
Despite the thaw, critics say the Cuban regime has done little to
improve human rights or to allow political dissent.
Castro's demise hasn't altered conditions on the island, they say.
"Fidel Castro may be dead, but the regime is still well alive," said
U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, a Republican from Rogers who has opposed the
farm credit legislation. "I've got some very serious concerns about what
we do that serves to funnel more money into the hands of what I believe
is a very corrupt ... and oppressive regime."
U.S. Rep. French Hill said there's no evidence that Cuba is embracing
free enterprise or freedom of speech, assembly and religion now that
Castro's brother, Raul Castro, is at the helm.
In fact, conditions may be worsening, he said.
"We clearly want our farm goods to get to Cuba. It's a small but close
market to us," the Little Rock Republican said. "But the conditions have
to be right for that to happen in Cuba."
Trump has also been critical of efforts to normalize relations with Cuba
and is threatening to reverse course once he takes office.
"If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the
Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole, I will terminate the
deal," Trump tweeted in late November.
Westerman isn't sure what to expect once the new administration arrives.
"I don't know how willing the Trump administration will be to deal with
Cuba on trade," he said. "The fact that Fidel Castro's dead now, I think
makes it a little more palatable, but I haven't seen them make any big
changes in the government down there yet. Maybe trade is a way to spur
those changes on."
Westerman said he continues to support efforts to facilitate the sale of
farm products.
"I hate to use food as a negotiating tool anywhere. I think that's been
a foreign policy mistake in the past. When we had the grain embargo with
Russia, the only people that were hurt out of that were American
farmers," he said.
U.S. Sen. John Boozman, who has co-sponsored legislation to ease trade
restrictions with Cuba, said he remains hopeful that barriers to
agricultural sales can be removed in 2017.
"We've heard some rhetoric, but we don't really know how" the Trump
administration will react to Cuba, Boozman said.
The Rogers Republican said the U.S. should have consistent trade
policies, noting that the U.S. trades freely with most other
non-Democratic regimes.
"We trade with Saudi Arabia, we trade with Vietnam. We trade with
everybody, I think probably, except for the North Koreans, so there's no
reason that we shouldn't start moving in that direction," he said.
Improved trade relations with Cuba "would be good for America, good for
Arkansas," he added.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson favors allowing farmers to extend credit to Cuban
buyers, but says legislation allowing the change may be "on a slower
path over the next six months than the trajectory we were on before."
"The death of Fidel Castro significantly changed the environment. ...
The United States, in my judgment, is waiting for a signal of greater
openness and a willingness to change," he said.
If that message is transmitted, trade between the countries will likely
accelerate, he added.
Members of the Engage Cuba Coalition's Arkansas State Council, which
promotes U.S-Cuba trade, are hopeful closer ties will develop.
Ben Noble, executive director of the Arkansas Rice Federation, said
access to the Cuban market will be a priority in 2017.
"If ever there was a time for full engagement with Cuba, it is today,"
he said.
Another member, Newport farmer Derek Haigwood, agrees.
"I do grow rice, and, oh, it would just be a wonderful thing if we could
open up that market," he said.
If Arkansas farmers make inroads in Cuba, "it's just something that
would lift this economy up," he added.
Source: Arkansas congressman to reintroduce legislation to ease trade
restrictions with Cuba -
http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2017/jan/02/2nd-try-in-works-for-trade-in-cuba-2017/?f=news-arkansas
restrictions with Cuba
By Frank E. Lockwood
This article was published today at 5:45 a.m.
WASHINGTON -- A congressman from northeast Arkansas will reintroduce
legislation to ease trade restrictions with Cuba, and says he's hopeful
that barriers to agricultural sales will be addressed early in 2017.
But there's plenty of uncertainty after the Nov. 8 presidential election
and the Nov. 25 death of Fidel Castro, the 90-year-old former Cuban
president.
It's unclear whether President-elect Donald Trump would be willing to
support the bill, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, a
Republican from Jonesboro.
The federal government currently bars farmers from extending credit to
Cuban purchasers. As a result, Cubans must provide "cash in advance"
whenever they purchase U.S. agricultural products. Crawford's
legislation would allow credit to be extended, a change favored by many
of the state's farm groups.
NATIONAL
H.R. 3687, the Cuba Agricultural Exports Act, also would have allowed
Americans to invest in Cuban agricultural businesses that are not
controlled by the government there.
Arkansas produces roughly half of the nation's rice. The state, along
with Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina, also is one of the largest
poultry producers.
Chicken and rice are dietary staples in Cuba, population 11.3 million,
and Natural State farmers are eager to do business there.
Crawford's bill had 48 co-sponsors, including U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman,
a Hot Springs Republican. But it encountered fierce opposition,
particularly from the Cuban-American community.
"There were a whole lot of folks that just wanted to make sure Fidel
Castro was dead before they considered anything," Crawford said.
Now that the Cuban revolutionary leader is gone, it may be easier for
the legislation to advance, he said.
"We're not trying to do anything that would empower the regime,"
Crawford said.
But America shouldn't surrender the Cuban market to communist
competitors from China and elsewhere, Crawford said.
"We can play a positive role there, fill that void, give them a cheaper,
safer more readily available food supply or we can continue to view this
through the lens of the Cold War and allow them to continue down that
communist road that doesn't work for anybody," he said.
Before the rise of Castro, the U.S. was a major supplier of rice to
Cuba. But the trade ended with the implementation of an economic embargo
by the United States in the early 1960s.
Restrictions on the sale of certain agricultural products were eased
during the Clinton administration and by 2004 U.S. rice sales reached
$64 million. The exports ended, however, after the U.S. government
barred farmers from extending credit to Cuban purchasers.
Over the past two years, President Barack Obama has taken steps to
normalize relations between the United States and its communist
neighbor, opening an embassy in Havana, adding daily flights, removing
barriers to travel and allowing increased imports of Cuban cigars and rum.
The prohibition on agriculture credit, however, remains.
Despite the thaw, critics say the Cuban regime has done little to
improve human rights or to allow political dissent.
Castro's demise hasn't altered conditions on the island, they say.
"Fidel Castro may be dead, but the regime is still well alive," said
U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, a Republican from Rogers who has opposed the
farm credit legislation. "I've got some very serious concerns about what
we do that serves to funnel more money into the hands of what I believe
is a very corrupt ... and oppressive regime."
U.S. Rep. French Hill said there's no evidence that Cuba is embracing
free enterprise or freedom of speech, assembly and religion now that
Castro's brother, Raul Castro, is at the helm.
In fact, conditions may be worsening, he said.
"We clearly want our farm goods to get to Cuba. It's a small but close
market to us," the Little Rock Republican said. "But the conditions have
to be right for that to happen in Cuba."
Trump has also been critical of efforts to normalize relations with Cuba
and is threatening to reverse course once he takes office.
"If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the
Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole, I will terminate the
deal," Trump tweeted in late November.
Westerman isn't sure what to expect once the new administration arrives.
"I don't know how willing the Trump administration will be to deal with
Cuba on trade," he said. "The fact that Fidel Castro's dead now, I think
makes it a little more palatable, but I haven't seen them make any big
changes in the government down there yet. Maybe trade is a way to spur
those changes on."
Westerman said he continues to support efforts to facilitate the sale of
farm products.
"I hate to use food as a negotiating tool anywhere. I think that's been
a foreign policy mistake in the past. When we had the grain embargo with
Russia, the only people that were hurt out of that were American
farmers," he said.
U.S. Sen. John Boozman, who has co-sponsored legislation to ease trade
restrictions with Cuba, said he remains hopeful that barriers to
agricultural sales can be removed in 2017.
"We've heard some rhetoric, but we don't really know how" the Trump
administration will react to Cuba, Boozman said.
The Rogers Republican said the U.S. should have consistent trade
policies, noting that the U.S. trades freely with most other
non-Democratic regimes.
"We trade with Saudi Arabia, we trade with Vietnam. We trade with
everybody, I think probably, except for the North Koreans, so there's no
reason that we shouldn't start moving in that direction," he said.
Improved trade relations with Cuba "would be good for America, good for
Arkansas," he added.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson favors allowing farmers to extend credit to Cuban
buyers, but says legislation allowing the change may be "on a slower
path over the next six months than the trajectory we were on before."
"The death of Fidel Castro significantly changed the environment. ...
The United States, in my judgment, is waiting for a signal of greater
openness and a willingness to change," he said.
If that message is transmitted, trade between the countries will likely
accelerate, he added.
Members of the Engage Cuba Coalition's Arkansas State Council, which
promotes U.S-Cuba trade, are hopeful closer ties will develop.
Ben Noble, executive director of the Arkansas Rice Federation, said
access to the Cuban market will be a priority in 2017.
"If ever there was a time for full engagement with Cuba, it is today,"
he said.
Another member, Newport farmer Derek Haigwood, agrees.
"I do grow rice, and, oh, it would just be a wonderful thing if we could
open up that market," he said.
If Arkansas farmers make inroads in Cuba, "it's just something that
would lift this economy up," he added.
Source: Arkansas congressman to reintroduce legislation to ease trade
restrictions with Cuba -
http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2017/jan/02/2nd-try-in-works-for-trade-in-cuba-2017/?f=news-arkansas
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Agricultores cuestionan millonaria importación de alimentos
Agricultores cuestionan millonaria importación de alimentos
diciembre 29, 2016
Rosa Tania Valdés
Cuba importará cerca de 1.800 millones de dólares de alimentos en el
2017, mientras campesinos exigen más apoyo y libertades para hacer
producir la tierra y revertir la escasez de alimentos reinante por décadas.
Por qué el gobierno comunista seguirá comprando los alimentos en el
extranjero el próximo año es la pregunta sin respuesta que se hacen los
campesinos cubanos, atados de pies y manos en medio de frenos
burocráticos y falta de recursos para hacer producir la tierra.
El reciente anuncio de que Cuba importará en el 2017 unos 1.750 millones
de dólares en alimentos, -unos 82 millones más que en el 2016-, avivó el
malestar de campesinos consultados por Radio Martí.
"¿Qué hace Cuba comprando coco en el extranjero, qué hace Cuba comprando
yuca?", cuestionó el campesino Iván González, de Villa Clara, durante
una entrevista con el periodista Adriel Reyes, de Radio Martí.
"La tierra cubana es fértil, es una tierra buena. Lamentablemente es lo
que te digo, el campesino tiene deseo de trabajar la tierra pero no
tiene tecnología, no tiene apoyo", recalcó.
Las limitadas reformas económicas impulsadas por Raúl Castro en el 2011
esperanzaron a algunos que aceptaron arrendar tierras abandonadas por
décadas.
Promesas incumplidas
El tiempo pasó. Desde la falta desde semillas y tecnología hasta las
trabas internas y la escasa oportunidad a la iniciativa privada hizo dar
marcha atrás hasta a los más optimistas.
"Bajo las reglas que impone este gobierno, al campesino le es muy
difícil producir alimentos para el pueblo", dijo el pequeño agricultor
Rolando Pupo, de San Juan y Martínez.
La anunciada liberalización de la venta de insumos como semillas,
pesticidas y fertilizantes tampoco se concretó hasta ahora debido a que
los mercados mayoristas aún no existen.
En cinco años el gobierno solo logró implementar la quinta parte de las
reformas que buscaban sacar a flote el sistema.
Un reporte de Reuters indicó a mediados de año que los problemas rurales
de la isla han frenado el crecimiento económico de Cuba, cuyas
autoridades acaban de anunciar que el país entró en recesión. Cifras
oficiales indican que la economía decreció al 0,9 por ciento en el año
que culmina.
Campesinos se quejan de no contar, por ejemplo, con un banco que apoye
al campesino, contó Pupo.
"Este modelo de producción y cómo están organizadas las estructuras de
comercio, de venta y compra de los productos agropecuarios no estimula a
la producción", sentenció.
Por si fuera poco, este año el gobierno decidió retomar el control sobre
la distribución de alimentos y topar los precios para hacer frente a la
escasez.
La demora en la recogida de las cosechas resultó en la pérdida de
cultivos de tomates y plátanos en sitios como Artemisa, según indicó
Reuters meses atrás.
Otra frustración llegó cuando se supo que el Gobierno eliminó del
Proyecto del Mariel a la firma estadounidense de tractores Cleber.
"Una vez que ha sido evaluada la propuesta (de Cleber) desde el punto de
vista tecnológico, se concluyó que no es el tipo de inversión que
nosotros queremos atraer en la zona", dijo a medios en noviembre la
directora general del Mariel, Ana Teresa Igarza.
Campesinos como el granmense Emiliano González lo tienen claro.
"Hay tantos problemas dentro que parece que lo que ellos prefieren es
comprar (la comida) en el exterior a altos precios y no potenciar la
agricultura aquí adentro", concluyó.
Source: Agricultores cuestionan millonaria importación de alimentos -
http://www.martinoticias.com/a/cuba-campesinos-malestar-/136285.html
diciembre 29, 2016
Rosa Tania Valdés
Cuba importará cerca de 1.800 millones de dólares de alimentos en el
2017, mientras campesinos exigen más apoyo y libertades para hacer
producir la tierra y revertir la escasez de alimentos reinante por décadas.
Por qué el gobierno comunista seguirá comprando los alimentos en el
extranjero el próximo año es la pregunta sin respuesta que se hacen los
campesinos cubanos, atados de pies y manos en medio de frenos
burocráticos y falta de recursos para hacer producir la tierra.
El reciente anuncio de que Cuba importará en el 2017 unos 1.750 millones
de dólares en alimentos, -unos 82 millones más que en el 2016-, avivó el
malestar de campesinos consultados por Radio Martí.
"¿Qué hace Cuba comprando coco en el extranjero, qué hace Cuba comprando
yuca?", cuestionó el campesino Iván González, de Villa Clara, durante
una entrevista con el periodista Adriel Reyes, de Radio Martí.
"La tierra cubana es fértil, es una tierra buena. Lamentablemente es lo
que te digo, el campesino tiene deseo de trabajar la tierra pero no
tiene tecnología, no tiene apoyo", recalcó.
Las limitadas reformas económicas impulsadas por Raúl Castro en el 2011
esperanzaron a algunos que aceptaron arrendar tierras abandonadas por
décadas.
Promesas incumplidas
El tiempo pasó. Desde la falta desde semillas y tecnología hasta las
trabas internas y la escasa oportunidad a la iniciativa privada hizo dar
marcha atrás hasta a los más optimistas.
"Bajo las reglas que impone este gobierno, al campesino le es muy
difícil producir alimentos para el pueblo", dijo el pequeño agricultor
Rolando Pupo, de San Juan y Martínez.
La anunciada liberalización de la venta de insumos como semillas,
pesticidas y fertilizantes tampoco se concretó hasta ahora debido a que
los mercados mayoristas aún no existen.
En cinco años el gobierno solo logró implementar la quinta parte de las
reformas que buscaban sacar a flote el sistema.
Un reporte de Reuters indicó a mediados de año que los problemas rurales
de la isla han frenado el crecimiento económico de Cuba, cuyas
autoridades acaban de anunciar que el país entró en recesión. Cifras
oficiales indican que la economía decreció al 0,9 por ciento en el año
que culmina.
Campesinos se quejan de no contar, por ejemplo, con un banco que apoye
al campesino, contó Pupo.
"Este modelo de producción y cómo están organizadas las estructuras de
comercio, de venta y compra de los productos agropecuarios no estimula a
la producción", sentenció.
Por si fuera poco, este año el gobierno decidió retomar el control sobre
la distribución de alimentos y topar los precios para hacer frente a la
escasez.
La demora en la recogida de las cosechas resultó en la pérdida de
cultivos de tomates y plátanos en sitios como Artemisa, según indicó
Reuters meses atrás.
Otra frustración llegó cuando se supo que el Gobierno eliminó del
Proyecto del Mariel a la firma estadounidense de tractores Cleber.
"Una vez que ha sido evaluada la propuesta (de Cleber) desde el punto de
vista tecnológico, se concluyó que no es el tipo de inversión que
nosotros queremos atraer en la zona", dijo a medios en noviembre la
directora general del Mariel, Ana Teresa Igarza.
Campesinos como el granmense Emiliano González lo tienen claro.
"Hay tantos problemas dentro que parece que lo que ellos prefieren es
comprar (la comida) en el exterior a altos precios y no potenciar la
agricultura aquí adentro", concluyó.
Source: Agricultores cuestionan millonaria importación de alimentos -
http://www.martinoticias.com/a/cuba-campesinos-malestar-/136285.html
American Chicken for Cuban Christmas
American Chicken for Cuban Christmas / 14ymedio, Zunilda Mata
14ymedio, Zunilda Mata, Havana, 23 December 2016 — Against all odds, two
years after the beginning of the diplomatic thaw between the governments
of Cuba and the United States, trade between the two countries has
diminished. The Island bought 21% less food from its northern neighbor
in the first four months of this year, compared to the same period in 2015.
However, this Christmas Cubans have seen frozen chicken Made in the USA
reappear in the network of state markets, a product in high demand amid
rising prices for domestic meat. Many have decided to change the
traditional pork menu that families eat on December 31 for a plate with
breast, thighs or wings.
Imports of US poultry fell by half between January and April 2016 in
contrast to last year. Hence, consumers have received happily the news
about the recent supply, though they fear the quantity of this yuma
(American) product will decline further with the arrival of Donald Trump
at the White House.
Source: American Chicken for Cuban Christmas / 14ymedio, Zunilda Mata –
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/american-chicken-for-cuban-christmas-14ymedio-zunilda-mata/
14ymedio, Zunilda Mata, Havana, 23 December 2016 — Against all odds, two
years after the beginning of the diplomatic thaw between the governments
of Cuba and the United States, trade between the two countries has
diminished. The Island bought 21% less food from its northern neighbor
in the first four months of this year, compared to the same period in 2015.
However, this Christmas Cubans have seen frozen chicken Made in the USA
reappear in the network of state markets, a product in high demand amid
rising prices for domestic meat. Many have decided to change the
traditional pork menu that families eat on December 31 for a plate with
breast, thighs or wings.
Imports of US poultry fell by half between January and April 2016 in
contrast to last year. Hence, consumers have received happily the news
about the recent supply, though they fear the quantity of this yuma
(American) product will decline further with the arrival of Donald Trump
at the White House.
Source: American Chicken for Cuban Christmas / 14ymedio, Zunilda Mata –
Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/american-chicken-for-cuban-christmas-14ymedio-zunilda-mata/
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