La Picadora: A Case Study in Cuban Agroecotourism

Abstract

Agroecotourism is growing worldwide, with a Latin American focus on both cultural and environmental sustainability. In this case study, the authors immersed themselves in the seven-year-old agroecotourism venture of La picadora, living among neighbours and conducting formal interviews with 14 persons to learn about agricultural practices, hosting approaches, and the effects of tourism on life at La picadora. Results showed a community practising and committed to sustainable use of land and human resources, and revealed agricultural practices typical of broader Cuba. Foods served to tourists reflected a combination of Cuban tradition and ingredient availability. Residents noted cultural and monetary benefits of welcoming tourists to their communities. In conclusion, the La picadora collective is a microcosm of sustainable tourism, affecting and affected by broader socioeconomic forces. It is likely that this early agroecotourism adopter will become a model for other Cuban visitor hubs operating outside traditional beach-based ventures.

When the Sugar Runs Out: Transitioning Agricultural Systems and Their Effect on Dietary Diversity in Yaguajay, Central Cuba

“…This transition is heralded as successful in terms of social, ecological, and economic standards and it is captured by sustainability indicators such as the Human Dimension Index or the Sustainable Society Index [36]. To some, Cuba has become as "an antidote to the hyper-commercialized and industrial food systems of the Global North" [37]. The crucial element behind this positive shift is the mix of strong institutional and policy frameworks that continue to scaffold Cuban development priorities and strategies [38,39].…”

“…For example, even when the country embraced organic regimes to an unprecedented historical extent, the growth in smallholder farming, peri-urban and urban agriculture, and the state sponsored production cooperatives was not without obstacles [42,43]. The process of decentralization was gradual and seemingly disruptive of former practices, requiring extensive participation of social movements and actors such as universities, and the spearheading of a grassroots approach to development [37,44,45]. In addition, the transformation of the agricultural system only seems to have gained traction after the deactivation of the sugar monocrop industry in the early 2000s [35,46].…”

“…Presently, the largest producer of foodstuffs is to be found family-based agriculture [50], suggesting the need to explore this sector further to assess food security. Unfortunately, rural household experiences and decisions among Cuban farmers are not often documented in the academic literature [but see 37,51]. A small number of studies have looked at smallholder properties in Sancti Spíritus, the province where the current research takes place [1,50].…”

“…A small number of studies have looked at smallholder properties in Sancti Spíritus, the province where the current research takes place [1,50]. Machado and Fernandez, and Moon et al have also generally characterized some of the challenges seen in La Picadora, one of the communities focused on our long-term research program [37,52,53]. None of these works, however, have delved into the complexity behind household dietary trade-offs, a shortcoming that reflects the paucity of data in terms of rural nutrition beyond state publications and the national 2010-2011 census of Risk Factors, and the challenges of conducting long-term fieldwork.…”

“…Most households participate in the effort by providing services such as cooking or sharing agricultural resources to support the visitors. Earnings are shared equally [37,60].…”