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In Cuba, HI promotes inclusive food sovereignty

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Inclusion | Prevention | Cuba | PUBLISHED ON August 12th 2025
A white-haired man wearing a plaid shirt and a hat stands among large green tomato plants.

Ramón Malagón Pérez, 60, has been growing vegetables in his garden for as long as he can remember. He produces vegetables that are eaten by the whole community. | © L. Chaveco / HI

In Pinar del Río, the development of inclusive, family-based urban agriculture is helping communities to become self-sufficient and resilient in the face of disasters, while strengthening social ties.

Support, networks and awareness-raising

While the climate in Cuba is very favourable for agriculture, the island is also often hit by cyclones and hurricanes, as in 2022 when Hurricane Ian caused major damage in the province of Pinar del Río, in the west of the country. To help residents get back on their feet, rebuild their resources and better anticipate disasters, HI supports them by strengthening and financing community aid and support networks.

In this way, the links forged between the National Association of Small Farmers, the Cuban Association of Agricultural and Forestry Technicians and the owners of fields and plots of land are essential for the development of disaster-resistant agriculture that provides sustainable resources for the inhabitants. Ramón Malagón Pérez and his wife Lidia Martínez are part of this network, growing a vegetable garden from which they provide food for the whole family.

"Every time you talk to someone, you gain knowledge, share ideas and grow together. It's a real strength to be able to count on this support.

Ramón works with a school in Consolación del Sur, in Pinar del Río, where the pupils enjoy his produce: "All the condiments used in the school kitchen come from here." The rest of the harvest goes to the community and to all those who live nearby and come to buy vegetables.

Following the rhythms of the earth

Ramón has a passion for agriculture, studied agronomy and is a fervent advocate of agroecology. He knows and promotes the bountiful harvests obtained by respecting the times and rhythms of the seasons.

"I've always cultivated a plot of land because I love watching vegetables grow and then enjoying them at the table. The most beautiful thing in the world is to ask yourself what you're going to eat, to go out into your garden and pick fresh lettuce, tomatoes and cabbage and make yourself a salad. I love seeing the diversity on my plate," says Ramón Malagón Pérez.

"See that tomato over there?" he asks, pointing to a field of tangled stakes. "See how big it is? It's never been treated with chemicals. You have to find the right time for each crop and then, even with very few resources, you get a good harvest. When you have a wide variety of crops and a natural ecosystem is created, the pests control each other and you don't need to use any products.

For Ramón and Lidia, agroecology is not just a process or a method of cultivation, it's a way of life. "For me, it means knowing that I'm eating food that won't harm me or my family," says Ramón. The couple have made it their mission to help others who are embarking on a similar experience for the first time: "We help them, we explain every technique, every practice; their success fills us with joy," says Ramón.

The "Inclusive and Resilient Communities" project is transforming urban and family farming in Pinar del Río and supporting 200 families affected by Hurricane Ian in 2022. Through diversity, innovation and self-management, the vegetable gardens and allotments not only produce fresh, healthy food, but also foster self-reliance and community resilience. By combining diverse crops, animal husbandry and sustainable practices, this project promotes food sovereignty and helps to build a more inclusive future, with the participation of women and people with disabilities.

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