837.61/103
Memorandum by Mr. George F. Scherer of the Division of Caribbean and Central American Affairs 15
Cuban Agricultural Diversification
Summary: The impetus given to Cuban agricultural diversification in 1943 by the combined efforts of the United States and Cuban Governments resulted in a substantial advance last year with prospects that the momentum will continue this year, in spite of one of Cuba’s largest sugar crops.
united states government assistance
Last year in connection with the purchase of Cuban sugar, this Government undertook to assist Cuba in diversification of its agriculture by the purchase of exportable surpluses of peanuts, corn, beans and rice, and by sending new farm machinery (unfortunately not put [Page 935] to use last year).16 Growers were assured a favorable market through our offer to purchase exportable surpluses, and these offers stand open until July 1, 1945.
cuban response
The Cuban Government assisted in diversification last year by vigorous campaigning throughout the Island, by making its customary seed distribution and by continuing the decree requiring a part of sugar properties to be devoted to other food crops. Six refrigerated warehouses and certain irrigation projects were planned and approved in connection with the Export-Import Bank credit, but they are going forward slowly.
Obstacles to continuing diversification (in addition to a tendency to concentrate on sugar when Cuba’s crop is large) include shortages of fuel for tractors and trucks, of fertilizer and of farm equipment.
The following specific results have been obtained:
[Here follows a listing of the results of the 1943 diversification effort in Cuba showing substantial production increases in corn, peanuts, peanut oil, rice, tobacco, coffee, loofa sponges (a new product), beets, and sweet potatoes.]
- Addressed to John M. Cabot, Acting Chief, Division of Caribbean and Central American Affairs, and Laurence Duggan, Director of the Office of American Republic Affairs.↩
- For details of U. S. assistance to Cuba’s agricultural diversification program in 1943, see Foreign Relations, 1943, vol. vi, pp. 223 ff.↩