International Field Studies in Sustainable Agriculture: Cuba!
April 30 - May 21, 2010
3-credit course offered by the University of British Columbia
Instructor:  Wendy R. Holm, P.Ag.
 
"...anyone doing academic or public policy work in
the areas of food, sustainability and/or community
MUST see what is happening in Cuba...  "

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Course Name, Number and Credits
Field Course Itinerary
Course POSTER
Course Dates
UBC Coordinator
Course Calendar Description
 Rationale for the Course
Learning Outcomes
Curriculum Components
Course Outline
Course Organization and Delivery
Evaluation
Library
Cost and Registration
Cuban Partner
Course Instructor
Background
Travel Tips

NOTE:  This course is in the process of moving to an Open Learning Technologies platform at UBC.  It will still be a course under Land and Food Systems, but OLT will handle registration and support the on-line nature of the new course.  As a result, some of the below information will change.  We apologise for this.  New site will be launched WITHIN A WEEK.  For now, continue to send emails of interest to Roxana Quinde in LFS until we have the new procedures in place.

Course Name, Number and Credits:
LFS 302: International Field Studies - Cuba (formerly known as AGSC 302)

Open to any registered student of the University of British Columbia or other accredited university.

3 University of British Columbia course credits; normal  course credit fees apply.


Field Course Itinerary (click here):


Course Description (also below, click here for PDF)

Course Dates:    
April 30 1 to May 21, 2010.
UBC Coordinator:
TEMPORARY until move to Office of Learning Technology complete: 

Dr. Roxana Quinde,  Coordinator, Global Partnerships
Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
University of British Columbia
346-2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, B.C.  CANADA
email:  quinde@interchange.ubc.ca   phone: 604  822-0181   fax:     604  822-2184    web: www.agsci.ubc.ca

Course Calendar Description:
Prior to the early 1990’s, Cuba’s agriculture was characterized by large-scale monoculture.  With one of the highest ratios of tractors to farmland in the world, Cuba had fully adopted the so-called “green revolution” model.  Yet when crisis intervened (collapse of the Soviet Union and with it an abrupt loss of farm inputs such as chemicals, machinery, gasoline, feed grains, etc.), Cuba managed to reinvent herself, becoming in one decade — virtually overnight — a world leader is organic agriculture and urban agriculture.   How was this possible?  What lessons does Cuba offer for other Latin American Countries?  What lessons does Cuba offer for Canada?  In this 3 week course, students will visit Cuba’s farms, agricultural universities, research stations and urban agriculture centres to explore the Cuban model and understand its relevance for agriculture in other countries, in particular Canada.  Back to top of page.


Rationale for the Course:
Like the ecological importance of riparian zones that link water and land and support bio-diversity, the socio-economic importance of farm communities – which link the capacity of the countryside and the needs of the cities — must be similarly protected.  Implementing good farm policy is critical to this objective, because sustainable food policy is inimical to sustainable eco-systems, sustainable economies, and sustainable communities.  In our quest for food security and sustainability, Canada badly needs role models.  In this context, Cuba offers some unique lessons.   Back to top of page.


Learning Outcomes:
After taking this course, students will be able to:

1. Explain the structure of Cuba’s agriculture sector.

2. Describe the 5 key factors behind Cuba’s rapid transition to sustainable agriculture: (strong scientific capacity, farmer literacy, solid agricultural extension, large cooperatives, and good soils, water and climate).

3. Articulate the structural changes and institutional framework that supported the transition.

4. Communicate and discuss Cuba’s widespread adoption of sustainable farming practices, including:

Organic fertilization and soil conservation.   The use of organic and biofertilizers have allowed substitution of organic methods for chemical fertilizers to meet the nutrient requirements of crops previously met through external inputs.  The use of manure, sugarcane byproducts (cachaza), organic fertilizers, compost, bioearth, worm humus, residues from sugarcane collection centres (biomass), waste water, cover crops, mulch, biofertilizers and other materials produce higher yields and improve soil cover, dry matter content, and soil properties. 

Ecological management of pests, disease and weeds  Elimination of pesticide use is one of the most difficult tasks in a conversion to organic farming practices.  The research into bio-pesticides developed by the Cuban Ministry of Agriculture’s National Plant Protection Institute (INISAV) is made available to farmers through the creation of a national network of 280 Centres for the Production of Entomophages and Entomopathogens (CREEs) which manufacture and distribute biocontrol agents suited to local crops and conditions.  CREEs are positioned according to local needs and have work teams comprised of university-educated specialists, lab technicians and auxiliary staff.  The products are sold directly to area farmers, reducing transport and storage needs.  Production is highly diversified and specialized by region. 

Livestock Management  The loss of imported feed grains at the beginning of Cuba’s Special Period resulted in sharp production cutbacks in Cuba’s livestock production sector.  Strong advances in crop rotation and polyculture have been employed to improve soil coverage and quality, control harmful pests and diseases and increase production.  Successful use of legume-based livestock systems, silvo-pastoral and integrated crop-livestock systems have resulted in significant and sustainable increases in dietary protein.  Bio-controls are used to treat mites and other insect pests.

Crop Management   Presently, one million hectares (20% of Cuba’s total farmland) are protected by the application of biological controls.  Much of this land is in vegetable, tropical vegetable and fruit production.  Most of Cuba’s 32,000 hectares of citrus and tree fruits are managed organically.  Organic production methods are being tested in sugar and coffee (4,500 hectares), cocoa, cocoanut, pineapple and mango production.  Crop rotations are used to reduce soil pathogens.  Intercropping and the use of crop associations are widely used to keep pest populations low and to reduce disease and weeds; common are corn-bean and cassava-bean associations but more complex planting such as corn-squash-sweet potato-beans-cucumbers are also common.  Integrated pest management programs are in place for 27 crops, controlling a total of 74 insect and mite pests and several fungal diseases.

Ecological Soil Management  Organic techniques such as the use of living barriers, ground cover with locally adapted pasture species, contour plowing and conservation tillage systems are used to manage, conserve and recover compacted, salinized, eroded and otherwise degraded soils. 

Urban Agriculture  In the early 1990’s, in response to food and petroleum shortages, Cuba made a major commitment to the production of food in cities, or urban agriculture.   Today, organoponicos (raised bed organic vegetable production), intensive vegetable gardens, backyard and roof gardens, small (2-15 hectare) suburban farms and the self-consumption gardens of large enterprises, institutions and government offices together contribute an estimated 90 percent of the fresh produce consumed in Havana.  The production goal for Cuba’s urban agriculture sector is 1.4 million metric tons per year to meet the national nutritional goal of 300 grams of fresh vegetables per person per day.  Key issues in the development of urban agriculture are conservation and management of soil fertility and integrated pest and disease management.  Cuba is investigating the introduction of rabbits in urban agriculture models. 

Green Medicines  In 1992, organized production of medicinal plants began in Cuba.  Today, there are 13 provincial farms and 136 municipal farms producing organic green medicines on 700 hectares of land.  Cuba’s current annual production of medicinal plants and of herbs and plants used for dyes is 1,000 tons and growing.

5. The accomplishments (successes) Cuba has achieved in the past decade.

6. The relevance of Cuba’s experience to Canadian farm policy issues.

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Curriculum Components:
In three weeks of travel throughout Cuba, students will have the opportunity to:

#1   Meet with Professors and students from Cuba’s leading agricultural universities, agricultural training schools and Agricultural Circles at the elementary level.
#2   Meet with Cuba’s Ministry of Agriculture, with representatives of Cuba’s the two main professional organizations and with ANAP, the organization that has represented Cuba’s farmers since 1961.
#3   Visit farmer cooperatives across the country

There are the three main types: A CPA (Cooperativa de Producción Agropecuaria) is a true cooperative farm, Cuba’s Agricultural Production Cooperatives are the most prevalent and productive form of agricultural organization.  Normally in existence since the mid 1970’s, they are made up of farmers who put their individual land holdings into collective ownership and make decisions as a cooperative. A CCS (Cooperativa de Créditos y Servicios) is a cooperative association of independent farmers, members of Credit and Service Cooperatives manage their lands independently but share access to credit and services.  A UBPC (Unidad Básica de Producción Agropecuaria, or Basic Units for Cooperative Production) is a former state farms that were turned over to the workers as a cooperative under Cuba’s Agricultural Reform Act of 1993.  Our itinerary includes:
#4   Learn about Cuba's use of botanical and medicinal herbs
#5   Be exposed to Cuba’s social/cultural institutions
#6   Learn about Cuba’s scientific infrastructure
#7   Come face to face with Cuba’s excellence in urban agriculture
#8   Spend some time in Cuba’s most important ecological areas.
Course Outline:

Click here for a PDF of the field tour itinerary...


Course Organization and Delivery:
Three week, fully escorted tour of Cuba’s farms, research stations, agricultural colleges, processing facilities, biological control centres and urban agriculture.   Back to top of page.


Evaluation:
Based on course notebooks and participation.   Back to top of page.


Library:

Sustainable Agriculture and Resistance, Transforming Food Production in Cuba, 2002, Institute for Food and Development Policy, USA.  Translated from original Spanish Transformando el Campo Cubano:  Avances de la Agricultura Sostenible, Asociacion Cubana de Tecnicos Agricolas y Forestales (ACTAF), 2001

Holm, Wendy R.   Discussion Paper on Sustainable Agriculture in Cuba - Lessons for Canada, Université du Québec à Montréal  April 1, 2004

Back to top of page.


Registration 

By requiring a registration of at least 15, we are able to keep the cost per student, based on two sharing a room, as low as possible.  2010 fees will be posted soon.  In 2009,  they were $2,375 USD plus air transportation to/from Cuba plus University registration fees.

          $500 USD deposit due by March 15th.  Balance due by April 10th.

A BLOG IS BEING SET UP TO SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT CUBA, TRAVEL, ONE ANOTHER AND THE COURSE.    ONCE CONFIRMED YOU WILL BE GIVEN ACCESS TO THIS SITE.


Registration:  
  1. Contact Roxana Quinde at UBC to ensure you are eligible to take this course
    (you must currently be a registered student at an accredited university).
  2. Download and fill out the Student Registration Form.  
  3. Write cheque payable to The Holm Team
  4. Mail cheque and registration to The Holm Team, RR #1, HP-8, Bowen Island, BC, Canada   V0N 1G0
  5. We will confirm (with you and with UBC) your course registration upon receipt.
Suggestions for air flights:  Air Canada has daily flights to Havana from Toronto and Montreal.   Havana service from Toronto and Montreal is also good with Air Cubana and Lacsa.  So look for direct seat sale tickets or deals on Vancouver to Toronto or Montreal and then Toronto or Montreal to Havana routings.  Or fly on a points booking direct from Vancouver to Havana via Toronto.     Return airfare should be under $1,000 from west coast, $500 - 700 from Toronto.
INCLUDED:
NOT INCLUDED:

Cuban Partner:
Our Cuban travel agent is Cuba Natura Tours.  Cuba Natura is a respected Cuban tourism agency under the auspices of the Chief Historian of Havana.  They are licensed to conduct “specialized” tours of this type.  Cuba Natura has considerable experience in the development of student tours. Their clients include:
Cuba Natura offers the following commentary from past clients:
Another excellent planned, smothly run,and logistically correct study program. Thanks to Cuba Natura tours competent staff for being always available. Looking forward next trip! 
    Emily Casperson, Assistant Director,
    Stanford University Travel/Study Programs.

Once again Cuba Natura tours has designed an outstanding custom tour for our museum. Once again we are  surprised by the richness of Cuba´s art scenario today. Thanks for organizing another extremely demanding art trip.  
    Marilyn A. Zeitlin, Director
    Arizona State University Art Museum

We will never thank you enough for a wonderful trip to Cuba.  Meeting with Alicia Alonso and  the Cuban National Ballet Company was unforgettable! 
    Marlene Billington. Deputy Director of Special Events
    L.A. Music Center, California
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Course Instructor
WENDY R. HOLM, P.AG.  A British Columbia Agrologist, columnist and writer, Wendy has been organizing and leading farm tours to Cuba since 1999.  In that time, 400 Canadian farmers have visited Cuba in 19 Delegations.   For more information, visit www.theholmteam.ca.  

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Background: from Green Revolution to Sustainable Leadership in One Decade
Agriculture is an important aspect of the Cuban economy and society. In the late 1980’s, Cuba’s farm sector was one of the most highly industrialized in the world.  Today, just a little over a decade later, Cuba is recognized as a world leader in sustainable, organic farming methods and in urban agriculture. 

The collapse of the former Soviet Union, Cuba’s major trading partner, was the catalyst in this transformation.  The loss of 70% of Cuba’s food supply and virtually all agricultural inputs (tractors, tractor parts, petroleum, machinery, pesticides, fertilizers, feed grains) meant Cuba had to quickly find new ways to produce food for her people. 

Cuba had 5 very important things going for her that made this transformation possible: 

1. Scientific capacity.  Following the Revolution, the Cuban government put a priority on the development of a strong science and technology sector.  Beginning in the 70’s and 80’s, Cuban scientists started looking for alternatives to high input agriculture to make Cuba’s farm sector more economically and environmentally sustainable.  As a result, Cuba had the scientific knowledge and technical capacity to develop the bio-pesticides and bio-fertilizers needed to produce food in the Special Period. 

2. Smart and capable farmers: Cuba’s literate and capable farmers and a national farmers organization (ANAP) that puts an emphasis on skills and knowledge transfer meant new methods were easily adopted.

3. A solid system of agricultural extension to teach farmers sustainable methods.

4. Large cooperatives: Cuba’s large agricultural cooperatives made it much easier to “get everyone going in the same direction” quickly and effectively. 

5. Excellent soils, water and climate, which certainly made things much easier. 

These factors, combined with the agricultural knowledge, concepts and ideas handed across generations and the persistence of the Cuban people, made the impossible possible:  Just 10 years after the collapse of the former Soviet Union, in a solemn session of the Swedish Parliament in December of 1999, Cuba’s Grupo de Agricultura Organica was honoured over 80 other candidates from 40 countries to receive Sweden’s prestigious Right Livelihood Award (referred to as the “Alternative Nobel Prize”) for world leadership in sustainable, organic farming methods and urban agriculture. 

In the words of Mavis Alvarez, Founding Member of ANAP (Asociación Nacional de Agricultores Pequeños):
“Sustainable technology is difficult without sustainable economic and social structures.  The transition to sustainable techniques has also been easier for Cuban farmers than in other countries because of the security bestowed by the Cuban government: land rights, access to and ownership of equipment, availability of credit, markets, insurance and free health care and education.  Cuban farmers are highly organized through the formation of cooperatives with real social and economic power, and the presence of national organizations that can represent the interests of individual farmers at the state level…  Property rights include not only land, but also the materials necessary for production, such as farming implements, plows, housing and other buildings as well as ownership over the harvest itself.  ”  

Much of Cuba’s production is now cooperative.  Agricultural education is a high priority throughout Cuba, undertaken by universities, vocational high schools, research centres, and a strong agricultural extention system.  Emphasis is placed on agro-ecology, inter-cropping, organic soil management, the production and use of organic fertilizers, vermiculture, compost and biological controls (integrated pest management), urban agriculture and the use of medicinal plants.   Cuba has gone from high-input, non-sustainable, monoculture to a diversified, sustainable model that is winning international recognition in only a decade.

How did they do it?  What structural changes have occurred?  What has been accomplished?  What institutional framework has been put in place to support this?  What can we learn from Cuba’s experience?  What is its relevance to Canada?  

By introducing students to the many faces of Cuban agriculture, this Agrologist-led, three week Field Studies Tour in Sustainable Agriculture of Cuba will encourage students to explore their own answers.


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Travel Tips

AIR:   Air Canada has daily flights to Havana from Toronto and Montreal.   Havana service from Toronto and Montreal is also good with Air Cubana and Lacsa.  So look for direct seat sale tickets or deals on Vancouver to Toronto or Montreal and then Toronto or Montreal to Havana routings.  Or fly on a points booking direct from Vancouver to Havana via Toronto.     Can also get there thru Cancun or Mexico City.  Expect to pay under $1,000 from BC on Air Canada and $500 - $700 from Toronto/Montreal on Cubana or Lacsa, (return including travel visa).  email Holm to discuss.

INSURANCE:   Insurance is the responsibility of the student.  Flight and health insurance should be purchased at the time the airline ticket is purchased and should cost somewhere under $100 Canadian.

GIFTS:   We will be making up a series of gift bags for the farms and institutions we visit.  Contact Holm for a list of suggested items.

CURRENCY:     Bring Canadian currency, which you will change into Convertible Cuban Pesos (CUC) in Cuba at a rate of roughly 1.25 CAD to one CUC.    Sometimes there is a small charge for travellers cheques, and only those drawn on a non-American financial institution are acceptable.    US currency is subject to a 10% surcharge.

PASSPORT:  You need a valid passport.

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