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In an effort to address the serious coffee production crisis in Guantánamo, the Cuban regime is seeking “sustainable solutions” through a collaboration project funded by the Andalusian Agency for International Cooperation from Spain.
Innova Café Guantánamo, a program launched this year by the Center for Technological Applications for Sustainable Development (Catedes) in the eastern province, and the Spanish NGO Solidarity for the Development of Peace (Sodepaz), aims to "transform the coffee value chain by implementing renewable energy sources and improving its efficiency," according to the state-run newspaper Venceremos.
The project, funded by the Andalusian agency, will last for two years (until January 2027), although there are plans to extend it for another year, for "the monitoring and seeking of sustainable solutions to the current situation of coffee production in the easternmost province of Cuba."
Initially, it will be implemented in San Antonio del Sur, Maisí, Yateras, Guantánamo, and El Salvador, but it will expand to the eight municipalities where coffee is produced in the eastern province, in order to “improve the quality of the beans and industrial processes, especially given the current issues with electrical supply,” said Zadierick Hernández, a specialist from Catedes.
The official explained that a diagnosis will be made of “the entire production chain - from the producer and cultivation to export - to identify key points where renewable energy can be implemented and solar energy will be prioritized due to its availability, although small hydroelectric plants or wind systems will not be ruled out where they are feasible.”
Innova Café Guantánamo aims to achieve “immediate benefits,” including “greater stability in grain processing” through solar dryers and heaters, as well as reducing environmental pollution from waste and reusing it to contribute to the circular economy.
The project also aims to generate new sources of income through the commercialization of byproducts, such as pressed husks, which replace traditional firewood in food preparation.
The representative of Sodepaz in Cuba, Patricia Franco Rodríguez, stated that the initial diagnosis will serve as a foundation for future phases of the project, strengthen grain production, and support other initiatives, such as Prode Café or Más Café.
He added that "the connection with Andalusia will be realized through outreach activities about Guantanamero coffee" and its sale through "fair trade" networks.
"Spain is a consumer of Cuban coffee, and with this project, it will arrive in better quality and will be a better product," he stated, suggesting that part of the coffee obtained during the program will not be destined for the Cuban consumer but rather for export.
But that is not news for Cubans, who have suffered for years from the scarcity and poor quality of the coffee that the government sells them in a rationed manner, which has become one of the most "exotic" products for the population, in a country that used to be among the leading producers of the bean in the world.
Coffee cultivation was introduced in Cuba in the mid-18th century, with seeds imported from coffee plantations in Haiti. The island produced over 60,000 tons per year in the 1950s. However, in 2021 it only harvested 11,500 tons, of which it exported 1,365, according to official data.
Coffee production has collapsed in the country, which relies heavily on imports to meet national demand. However, the regime has been unable to even guarantee the regulated sale of coffee to the population through the so-called "basic basket," accumulating month after month delays in its distribution.
The province of Guantánamo, one of the main coffee producers on the island, did not meet the harvest goals for 2023, achieving only 79% of the target. However, the decline continued last year, when production decreased by about 63 tons, according to a report from the newspaper Venceremos.
Provincial authorities estimated in September 2024 that the harvest should yield 1,172 tons of coffee beans, with 606 tons of the Arabica variety and 566 tons of Robusta, intended for export.
However, in October, the coffee plantations in Maisí, the largest producer of the grain in Guantánamo, were devastated by the impact of the powerful hurricane Oscar. As a result, approximately 75,000 cans of coffee were lost.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Innova Café Guantánamo Project and the Coffee Crisis in Cuba
What is the Innova Café Guantánamo project?
Innova Café Guantánamo is a collaborative project funded by the Andalusian Agency for International Cooperation, in conjunction with the NGO Sodepaz and the Center for Technological Applications for Sustainable Development (Catedes). Its goal is to transform the coffee value chain in Guantánamo by utilizing renewable energy sources, improving production efficiency, and enhancing the quality of the bean.
What is the main objective of Innova Café Guantánamo?
The main objective of the project is to improve the quality of coffee and industrial processes in Guantánamo by implementing renewable energies such as solar, in order to achieve a more stable and sustainable production despite the current electrical issues.
What impact do power outages have on coffee production in Cuba?
Electrical issues severely impact coffee production in Cuba, as they limit the industrial processes necessary for bean processing. The Innova Café project aims to mitigate these impacts through the use of renewable energy, ensuring a more efficient and stable production.
What has coffee production been like in Cuba in recent years?
The production of coffee in Cuba has decreased significantly. In the 1950s, Cuba produced over 60,000 tons annually, but in 2021 it only harvested 11,500 tons. This decline is due to multiple factors, including economic issues, climate challenges, and government management, which has led the country to rely on imports to meet domestic demand.
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