Cuba, like Guyana, has a reputation for turning to creativity, particularly in its agricultural and agro-processing sectors to respond to economic challenges that place restrictions on foreign food imports. A November 22 Reuters story on how Cuban families press agricultural produce into marketable agro produce point unerringly to the axiom that old habits die hard.
The Reuters story, headlined ‘Cuban family business produces flour from coconut and yucca as shortages fester’ describes how Cubans are sticking to their guns insofar pressing fruits and vegetables into service to produce other consumer goods.
Among the stories of Cuban creativity and self-reliance in its food production pursuits are those of 38 year-old entrepreneur, Gabriel Perez whose dried banana slices produced on the rural outskirts of the country’s Capital produces gluten-free flour. Banana, however, is not the only agricultural product that is pressed into service to produce flour. Coconut and Yucca are no less effective in creating locally-sourced substitutes for high-priced imports that are beyond the means of many Cubans.