PAAS - Project to Support Sustainable Agriculture in Cuba


The phase 3 of PAAS proposes the consolidation of a methodology for the application and scaling up of the value chain management model. It includes elements of circular economy, climate-smart agriculture and agro-ecological certification in 11 municipalities and 5 chains (cassava, broiler chicken meat, small livestock, fruit trees and vegetables). The project expects to have an impact on agricultural public policies by incorporating the model into the guidelines of the prioritized national agricultural programs.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Cuba
Agriculture & food security
Employment & economic development
Agricultural services & market
SME development
Rural development
15.07.2021 - 31.03.2024
CHF  2’576’000
Background

Food security and the reduction of imports are a priority for Cuban authorities. Accordingly, policies have been approved to make agricultural management more flexible and decentralized and to increase the availability of food at the local level.

The new agrarian policies and their programs need to be adequately implemented with alternatives that address the problem starting from the improvement of local management, given the economic difficulties that characterize the Cuban context, aggravated by COVID-19, the monetary reordering and the economic blockade.

PAAS Phase 3 takes advantage of these opportunities to consolidate its value chain management model in 11 municipalities from 8 provinces in 5 value chains (cassava, broiler chicken, small livestock, fruit and vegetables).

PAAS Phase 3 will also have an impact on Cuba's agricultural public policies, incorporating the management model of the value chain, with elements of circular economy, climate-smart agriculture and certification by the Participatory Guarantee System (SPG) for agricultural entities, among the guidelines of the prioritized national agricultural programs.

Objectives Contribute to food sovereignty in eight Cuban provinces through the generalization of a management model that develops sustainable and resilient local agro-food systems.
Target groups
  • 625,000 people (50% women) in 8 provinces consume healthy food generated by local value chains.
  • All women in 57 entities increase their salary by no less than 20%.
  • 9,050 people from 85 municipalities in 8 provinces are trained or educated on the value chain management model (40% women).
Medium-term outcomes

Outcome 1: Improved access of the population to healthy, locally produced food, with the implementation of a value chain management model.

Outcome 2: Introduction of a reference methodology for the implementation of a value chain management model in local agricultural entities.

Results

Expected results:  

  • Increased demand for healthy foods from local value chains.
  • Consolidated the methodology of the value chain management model in local agricultural entities.
  • Generated business opportunities for local agricultural entities within the value chains.
  • Strengthened technical and methodological capacities of local stakeholders for the autonomous implementation of the value chain management model.
  • Systematized good practices in the application of the value chain management model and socialized among stakeholders at different levels.
  • Updated national agro-food policies with the incorporation of the value chain management model for the development of local agro-food systems.


Results from previous phases:  

  • 872,700 people in 22 municipalities, with greater access to healthy, locally produced food (22,500 t per year), with priority for vulnerable people.
  • 23 food processing centers built or upgraded on private producers' farms and 22 markets.
  • 3,025 people (37% women) benefited from training.
  • 1,400 promoters trained for scaling up the value chain management model and certification by SPG.
  • 1,865 people have improved their working conditions.
  • 637 people have new jobs in farms, mini-industries and markets.
  • 2,200 people are linked to value chains that increase their income by 51%.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO
  • Other international or foreign NGO North


Other partners
  • Hivos (dutch NGO)
  • ACTAF (Cuban Association of Agricultural and Forestry Technicians)
Coordination with other projects and actors SDC projects: PRODEL, APOCOOP, PIAL.
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    2’576’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    2’310’866 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF   7’291’600 Budget inclusive project partner CHF   9’291’600
Project phases Phase 3 15.07.2021 - 31.03.2024   (Current phase) Phase 2 01.04.2018 - 31.12.2021   (Completed) Phase 1 01.01.2013 - 31.03.2018   (Completed)