AGRICULTURE IN THE CITY A Key to Sustainability in Havana, Cuba
Maria Caridad Cruz and Roberto Sánchez Medina
Ian Randle Publishers/IDRC 2003
ISBN 9-76637-158-X
e-ISBN 1-55250-104-3
244 pp.
During the 1990s, several national economies saw their urban food markets collapse. Like Zambia, Mozambique, and Armenia, Cuba responded to this crisis with a food program that included support to urban agriculture: farming in the city. As a result, food prices are increasing, free markets have been reinstated, production cooperatives have been linked with markets, land has been redistributed, and areas under export crops have been converted to domestic food crops. The Cuban government is now calling upon its cities to become more self-reliant for food – a focus that is dramatically modifying the landscape, lifestyle, and food supply of Havana residents.
This book presents the results of a 3-year research project on the history and state of urban agriculture in Havana, Cuba. A multidisciplinary team of 15 professionals, coordinated by the authors, assess the long-term potential for including urban agriculture in the social economies of two areas of Havana, as well as in city-wide environmental management programs. The results will be of particular interest to municipal, local, and community authorities considering how to convert emergency food-production measures into long-term support for urban agriculture, both for food self-reliance and for environmental enhancement (including park rehabilitation). The book will also be of interest to producers, students, decision-makers, and academics interested in sustainable management of the urban environment.
THE AUTHORS
Maria Caridad Cruz and Roberto Sánchez Medina are with the Fundación Antonio Núñez Jiménez de la Naturaleza y el Hombre in Havana, Cuba. They coordinated and directed the IDRC/CIDA/Oxfam (Canada)-supported research project that resulted in this publication.
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| Document(s) |
Chapter I INTRODUCTION 2003
Chapter II METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE RESEARCH 2003
Chapter III EVOLUTION OF URBAN AGRICULTURE IN THE CITY OF HAVANA* 2003
Chapter IV WATER FOR IRRIGATION PURPOSES, THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND PARTICIPATION BY WOMEN IN URBAN AGRICULTURE IN HAVANA* 2003
Chapter V TRADING OF URBAN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS IN HAVANA 2003
Chapter VI PARQUE METROPOLITANO DE LA HABANA* 2003
Chapter VII IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STUDY IN THE CAMILO CIENFUEGOS PEOPLE'S COUNCIL ZONE* 2003
Chapter VIII INSERTING URBAN AGRICULTURE INTO THE LAND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM* 2003
Chapter IX MAIN RESULTS AND IMPACT OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT 2003
Chapter X CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 2003
Works Consulted 2003
Research Team 2003
List of Acronyms 2003
