Within the broad process of economic changes, agriculture remains a priority sector , which requires the implementation of all possible modifications to make it work and meet the food needs of the population by replacing imports.
Despite the provisions of the measures implemented from 2007 to the 2011 guidelines, Dr. Armando Nova González warns of the persistence of not a few obstacles that “hinder the scope of planned production levels and the finding of solutions.” (1).
The author identifies the following strategies:
– The consolidation of perishables and production goods market, where the producer can go (according to the purchasing power generated by his production results) to acquire what he requires, at the right time and at prices that correspond to the prices received by the finished production.
– Creating the environment conducive to the producer to be able to decide according to market behavior and social requirements, what he will produce, to whom and where to sell.
– Diversification of forms of marketing as an alternative to monopolistic and / or oligopolistic forms:
– Creating and organizing second degree marketing cooperatives. Taking its scope to the central markets, direct sales to resorts, restaurant, industrial processing, delivery to exportation and / or to the retail market.
– Making individual marketing, according to logistics and organizational forms that are established.
– Expanding retail outlets.
– Diversifying the participants: marketing cooperatives, individuals and State Collection Enterprise.
– The possibility of producer freely contract needed workforce and,
– Availability of funding and technical assistance periodically.
Measures to increase food production, from 2007 to the present:
Price Increase: milk, beef and agricultural products.
Building supply stores for producers, at high prices: do not correspond to the demand of producers.
Distribution of idle lands (Decree-Law 259 and Regulation 282, both are a long bureaucratic process).
Process of decentralization of functions (municipality as a key space for the performance and decision making) .
Simpler structures and ministerial functions.
Free Recruitment of workforce , expansion of agricultural microcredit and gradual decentralization of the marketing of agricultural products ( in retail and direct selling tourist food and lodgment facilities, as an additional option to the existing system of State Collection Enterprise and Select Fruits Enterprise) .
Dr. Nova believes that the trend of declining domestic production and livestock farming, despite the possibilities has led to greater food dependency, increased food imports, and greater economic vulnerability. The issue needs to identify causes and, based on these, implement intentional actions.
