Cuba taps Vietnam’s expertise to strengthen food supply chain

As part of a high-level delegation led by General Secretary and President To Lam, Vietnam’s Minister of Construction, Nguyen Thanh Nghi, visited Cuba from September 25 to 27. During this state visit, Minister Nghi engaged in discussions with Cuban officials, including Oscar Pérez Oliva Fraga, Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, and René Antonio Mesa Villafaña, Minister of Construction. Central to these discussions were efforts to advance bilateral cooperation in the agriculture sector, with a particular focus on enhancing food production and self-sufficiency in Cuba.

Agriculture has long been identified as a strategic area for collaboration between Vietnam and Cuba. The recent dialogue builds on agreements reached earlier this year at the 41st session of the Vietnam-Cuba Intergovernmental Committee (ICC). Vietnam’s agricultural expertise, honed over decades of developing high-yield rice and corn varieties, is now being shared with Cuban partners. Collaborative projects are already underway, aimed at addressing Cuba’s pressing need for improved food security.

One of the highlights of the meeting was a review of three ongoing projects supported by Vietnam: rice cultivation, corn development, and aquaculture. These initiatives are designed not only to increase local food production but also to introduce more sustainable and efficient agricultural practices in Cuba. By leveraging Vietnam’s experience in large-scale rice farming and hybrid crop development, Cuba aims to boost yields in regions where productivity has lagged due to outdated practices or resource limitations. Aquaculture, another focal point, is seen as a key area for diversifying food sources and meeting growing domestic demand for protein.

For professionals in the agricultural field, these projects represent a vital collaboration between two nations with complementary strengths. Vietnam brings technical knowledge, particularly in areas like rice and aquaculture, where it has become a global leader. In turn, Cuba offers opportunities for testing and adapting these innovations in a Caribbean climate, with the potential to scale solutions for broader application in the region.

In addition to agricultural production, the meeting addressed challenges currently facing Vietnamese enterprises operating in Cuba. Minister Nghi highlighted ongoing difficulties such as electricity shortages and currency management issues, which affect the supply chain for agricultural inputs and equipment. These operational challenges have had a direct impact on the productivity of joint ventures, including the SanVig project—a partnership focused on producing key goods for the Cuban market. Minister Nghi called for swift resolution of these obstacles, underscoring that a stable operating environment is crucial for the success of agricultural investments.

Cuban officials, including Minister Pérez Oliva Fraga, reiterated their commitment to supporting Vietnamese projects and welcomed the presence of Vietnamese enterprises in Cuba’s socio-economic development. Both sides agreed that agricultural cooperation remains a priority, not only for improving domestic food production but also for positioning Cuba as a future exporter to neighboring Caribbean and Latin American markets.

The two governments also reviewed the broader context of their agricultural collaboration, exploring new models to increase crop yields and ensure food security. In particular, they discussed the potential for developing value chains that link Cuban producers with Vietnamese technology and expertise. This cooperation could enhance local processing capabilities, reduce reliance on imported goods, and create a more resilient agricultural sector.

Furthermore, the Vietnam-Cuba Trade Agreement, which came into effect in April 2024, is expected to open additional channels for agricultural trade. The agreement offers incentives to boost exports of Cuban products, such as tropical fruits and seafood, while facilitating Vietnamese investments in processing facilities and infrastructure.

For agricultural professionals, the implications of this cooperation are significant. Not only do these projects help Cuba address its immediate food production challenges, but they also serve as a model for how bilateral cooperation can lead to long-term agricultural sustainability. The introduction of advanced agricultural techniques and resource management strategies could substantially increase Cuba’s agricultural productivity, making it less dependent on imports while laying the groundwork for future export opportunities.

In conclusion, the discussions between Vietnam and Cuba reaffirmed the importance of their agricultural partnership, with both sides committed to advancing cooperation in rice, corn, and aquaculture. By combining Vietnam’s agricultural expertise with Cuba’s need for enhanced food production, the two nations are setting a course for more resilient, productive, and sustainable agricultural sectors.