At the recently concluded Havana International Fair (FIHAV 2025), Cuba consolidated a new step in its growing agricultural cooperation with Russia by formalizing an association contract aimed at reactivate rice production on the island.
The agreement was signed by the Russian Rice Consortium and the Cuban company Agroind SA, and will be executed in areas of the southern plain of Sancti Spíritus, one of the historical areas of the crop.
Nayibeth Bermúdez, head of the project on the Russian side, explained that the initiative arises from Moscow’s interest in supporting rice production in Cuba.
As published Cubadebatetechnical experience persists on the island, but the resources are lacking to reactivate lands that were productive in previous years.
Bermúdez described the collaboration as “an international economic association contract (…) given the very beautiful and humanitarian interest of the Russian promoter in helping Cuba achieve food sovereignty.”
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The project shows its first concretions: 600 hectares have been planted, which are currently being harvested in areas of the Sur del Jíbaro Agroindustrial Grain Company, in the municipality of La Sierpe.
According to what was known, the grain will be marketed under the Campeche brand: “The intention is to reach 10 thousand hectares, with high yield,” said Bermúdez.
The Russian Rice Consortium provides essential inputs to achieve yields greater than six tons per hectare, while the Cuban side provides local infrastructure, land and workforce.
The signing of the agreement was carried out by Pavel Reyes Liubushkin, president of the Russian consortium, and Elizabeth Pagés Navarrete, representative of Agroind SA
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The Cuban Minister of Agriculture, Ydael Jesús Pérez Brito, participated in the agreement of the contract and highlighted the commitment with which Cuba will execute these projects, aimed at increasing national food production. in the midst of the food crisis that the country is going through.
The alliance with Russia is part of a broader strategy to attract foreign collaboration in key productive sectors, at a time when the country seeks to revitalize stagnant agriculture.
According to the signatories and representatives involved, the project has “a great perspective” and opens the door to expanding production in thousands of hectares, combining Russian inputs with the Cuban productive structure.
For the authorities of the sector, the agreement reflects a strategic priority: increase national production and reduce dependence on importsin a scenario of growing needs and a strong economic crisis.
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