7699: Cuba/Haiti agricultural comparative study delegation (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: P D Bellegarde-Smith <pbs@csd.uwm.edu>

>From: "Art Heitzer" <aheitzer@igc.org>
>To: "Wis Latin Amer. Studies Listserve" <wislas@uwm.edu>
>
> GLOBAL EXCHANGE PRESENTS REALITY TOURS. . .
> Cuba and Haiti
> May 24 - June 7, 2001
> An Exploration of South-South Cooperation in Sustainable Agriculture
>
> Agricultural Comparative Study Delegation:
> Until 1989, Cuba's agriculture was the most industrialized agriculture in
> Latin America, largely based on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.  Due
> to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the US trade embargo, creative
> Cuban farmers have turned to a variety of traditional, alternative, and
> renewable technologies to produce food, medicine and, energy.  Ox driven
> plows have taken the place of tractors, organic composting and pest control
> techniques have replaced chemical fertilizers and pesticides.  The changes
> incurred by this sustainable model of development have been attributed to a
> community of scientists with a no profit motive and unprecedented
> government and community support.  We will learn how an estimated 30,000
>organic urban gardens in Havana are providing over 40% of residents' food
>necessities, in addition to the 1,000,000 urban gardens throughout the
>country.  Today, Cuba's low impact agricultural system and vast
>implementation of alternative energy sources are pioneering a sustainable
>habitat for the world.
> Years of dictatorship and political repression have left Haiti in an
> ecological and economic crisis.  Deforestation, desertification, and
> erosion threaten the food security of Cuba's closest neighbor.  World Bank
> and IMF imposed austerity programs have put a strangle on Haiti's
> government.  Forced to lower tariffs, Haiti's rice growers can no longer
> compete with cheaper American grown rice.  However, through the resilience
>of the people, peasant movements across the country have made bold moves to
>reclaim the land and Haiti's natural resources.  In addition, an exciting
>new partnership with Haiti's Cuban neighbors has resulted in innovative
>projects designed to restore sustainability to Haiti's agricultural sector.
>Contrary to US funded aid projects, Cuban agronomists and veterinarians have
>been working directly with the Haitian peasantry in erosion prevention,
>irrigation, and animal husbandry.  Working together, Cuba and Haiti are
>creating viable alternatives for sustainable development.
>
> Why Join this Delegation?
> This educational and fact-finding delegation will trace sustainable
> agriculture through various levels of design, research, and implementation.
>   We will explore successful and innovative techniques for sustainable and
> organic agriculture; and learn to appreciate the unique and multitiered
> relationships fostered by a commitment to safe, healthy ecosystems.  Haiti
> and Cuba constitute vital educational resources for scientists, hunger
> activists, and greenthumbsaround the world.   We will learn about an
> innovative partnership that has developed between these two countries, an
> excellent model of south-south cooperation.  We invite you to help chart
> our course by providing us with your special interests and program
> suggestions, which makes the trip evolve into something meaningful and
> intimate.
>
> Program Highlights:
> . In Haiti, stay with the dynamic community members of Milot, meet the
> leaders of the local peasant movement, learn about their recent
> controversial land reform.
> . Observe grassroots organizations working effectively in reforestation and
> animal husbandry specifically adapted to their unique resources and
> environment.
> . Talk to peasant activist groups about the hardships, as well as the
> successes of the Haiti's nationwide peasant movement.
> . Meet with the innovators of the Cuban-Haitian partnership, discover first
> hand the strength and the benefits of international south-south
> collaboration and exchange.
> . Witness the transformation of Havana into a viable organic marketplace.
> . Visit Cuba's Institute for Basic Research in Tropical Agriculture, the
> second-oldest such institute in the Americas.
> . Travel outside of Havana to visit Cuba's successful reforestation
> projects and agricultural cooperatives.
>
> Costs & What's Included:
> The cost of this tour is $2200 and includes: round-trip airfare from
> Port-au-Prince to Havana, round trip airfare from Port-au-Prince to Cap
> Haītien, all transportation within Haiti and Cuba, guest house and hotel
> accommodations, translation of all programs, reading materials, two meals
> daily, visas and program fees, and qualified trip leaders.  Single rooms
> may be available for an additional cost.
>
> To Apply:
> Complete a Reality Tours application and return it with a $200
> nonrefundable deposit. http:/
>/www.globalexchange.org/tours/auto/2001-05-24_CubaandHaitiSouthSouthCoopera.
>html
>  Personal checks, MasterCard, and Visa are welcome.
> We cannot accept a deposit and application separately.  These trips can
> fill up quickly, so it is best to reserve your space right away.  We
> attempt to make each delegation as diverse as possible in terms of age,
> ethnic background, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, and life
> experience.  We can offer a limited number of partial scholarships to
> low-income participants.
>
> 2017 Mission Street, #303, San Francisco, CA 94110 . (415) 255-7296 or
> 800-497-1994 . Fax: (415) 255-7498 . www.globalexchange.org
>
> Sustainable Agriculture Preliminary Itinerary:
> May 24
> Arrive Port-au-Prince.  Fly to Cap Haītien.  Orientation and overview of
> Haiti's economic and political situation by Milot farmers.
>
> May 25 &26
> Visit Milot, tour  fields and learn harvest techniques from members of the
> Milot Peasant Movement.  Learn about their grassroots agrarian reform.
>
> May 27
> Travel to Fondwa,  a successful model for rural community development in
> Haiti.  See how current economic improvement is affecting the community.
>
> May 28
> Meet with Cuban agronomists providing aid and expertise to Fondwa.  Evening
> cultural activity.  Dicuss strategies for sustainable economic development,
> land use and environmental renewal.
>
> May 29
> Tour of facilities and projects sites, including: reforestation nurseries,
> grain stroage silo, credit union, clinic and pharmacy, a radio station, and
> pig husbandry project.  Visit with a local leaf doctor and learn about
> rural community health issues.
>
> May 30
> Depart Fondwa, drive to Port-au-Prince.  Visit the newly re-opened sugar
> mill that is a result of Cuban direct aid to Haiti.  Explore market in
> Port-au-Prince.  Farewell dinner with Haitian economist, Camille Chalmers.
>
>     May 31
> Fly from Port au Prince to Havana.  Bicycle tour of Havana and visit to
> scale model of the city.  Meeting with architect     Miguel     Coyula to
>discuss
> urban planning in Havana.  Overview of Cuba's economic history in the
> 1990's and current development strategies.
>
> June 1
> Visits to a farmer's market, urban gardens, and a green pharmacy.  Overview
> of Cuba's Sustainable Agriculture Movement  by a Representative of the
> Ministry of Agriculture.  Meeting with inter-disciplinary team from the
> Foundation for Nature and Man to discuss the proliferation of urban gardens
> in Cuba and Latin America.
>
> June 2
> Overnight trip to INIFAT, the Institute for Basic Research in Tropical
> Agriculture, second of its kind in the Americas.
>
> June 3
> Visit to the farm of Fernando Funes and meeting with staff.  Discussion of
> extension system, research of biofertilizers, biological pest control,
> crop/pasture experimentation.  Evening disscusion with sugar industry
> scientist Antonio Valdez on proposal for production of organic sugar.
>
> June 4
> Visit to Almendares River project and Parque Metropolitano.  Tour of
> wetlands and visit with river bank communities to learn about their
> sustainable agriculture projects.  Free evening in Old Havana -- cultural
> event provided.
>
> June 5
> Day trip to Viņales Valley reforestation projects.  Visit agricultural
> cooperative.  Talk with campesinos, visit their day care center, family
> doctor and school.
>
> June 6
> Visit entomopathogen production site, rhizobium program and extension
> service supply stores / community center.  Evening meeting / party with
> Cuban hosts.
>
> June 7
> Depart Havana for Port-au-Prince; Depart Port-au-Prince.