Cuban Organic Agriculture Exchange Program

A Food First program since 1995, we act in collaboration with the Organic Agriculture Group (GAO) and the Center for the Study
of Sustainable Agriculture (CEAS). We foster communication between
agronomists and farmers in Cuba, the United States, and the international
community. We simultaneously work to provide the Cubans with information
and materials that would assist them in their efforts, and to educate
the U.S. and the international community about the Cuban phenomenon.

In the early 1990s, the collapse of the socialist bloc and the U.S. embargo
led to a decrease in agricultural inputs and foodstuffs. The Cubans responded
to the crisis by redesigning their system of food production and distribution.
As a result, Cuba is attempting the world's most ambitious and extensive
transition from conventional agriculture to organic farming. The country
is unique in that the government and the community together have implemented
this change. Cuba is the first country to address food production under
the premise that sustainable access to safe, nutritious food is a human
right. We believe that their success validates the organic movement as
a whole.