The agricultural sectors of Artemisa and Mayabeque in Cuba have been severely impacted by Hurricane Rafael, as reported by Yohan García Rodas, General Director of Agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture, via the state-run portal. These regions, vital for Havana's food supply, faced significant damage to their main crops due to the hurricane.
In Artemisa, the hurricane obliterated 9,000 hectares of banana plantations, a staple in the local diet, according to García Rodas. The destruction is evident in social media visuals showing the extent of damage inflicted by Rafael's winds and rainfall. Mayabeque also experienced substantial losses, with 3,800 hectares of cassava affected.
Before the hurricane, the region was advancing in its cold-season agricultural campaign, with over 9,500 hectares planted with various crops. The aftermath of Rafael has, however, devastated these efforts, particularly affecting over 1,000 hectares of vegetables designated for Havana's year-end consumption and causing structural damage to several greenhouses.
Post-hurricane, Cuban authorities are reassessing their agricultural strategies, focusing on short-cycle crops to quickly recover from the losses. The upcoming potato campaign is a priority to secure food supplies for early 2024. The agricultural crisis is exacerbated by pre-existing challenges such as food shortages, lack of agricultural inputs, and structural issues within the sector. Hurricane Rafael's damage has further strained the food supply, especially in animal protein production, underscoring the urgent need for recovery and strategic adjustment in Cuban agriculture.
Source: CubaHeadlines