Havana food supplies down

Havana food supplies down
Friday 05 March 2010

Cuban state media reported on Wednesday that state-run food markets in
Havana received only 60 per cent of expected deliveries in January and
just 64 per cent in February, despite a series of reforms designed to
boost productivity.

The Communist Party newspaper Granma charged that Havana province fell
short of its targets through the end of February because authorities
failed to provide farmers with seeds in a timely manner.

And it reported that fertiliser and other nutrients to bolster crops
were distributed too slowly.

The result was less food for sale at heavily subsidised state farmer's
markets.

Since President Raul Castro assumed the duties of president of the
Council of State in 2006, the government has shifted much of the control
of state farms from Agricultural Ministry officials in Havana to local
farming boards.

And it has also put far more idle state land into the hands of private
farmers.

The state continues to provide seeds, fertiliser, petrol and other
supplies to farms and buys up nearly all of what they produce.

Havana food supplies down / World / Home - Morning Star (5 March 2010)
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/87589