The fragility of industrial agriculture. the case of Cuba without soviet oil

Abstract

The article begins by recalling the prospects of the depletion of oil and the other fossil fuels, asking what social and economic effects may derive from it in societies which are extremely dependent on the use and consumption of such energy. In particular, the focus is placed on agriculture and food. After recalling studies in energy accountability in agricultural activities, which point to poor energy balances of industrial agriculture compared with organic agriculture, the article looks into the case of Cuba after the end of Soviet Union in 1991, when Cuba ceased abruptly to receive oil and industrial inputs and experienced a very difficult situation. Daily life became harsher because of difficulties in transportation, in electricity supply and in the supply of many products which suddenly became scarce. The end of the imports of oil, agricultural machinery and chemical fertilizers led to a scarce supply of food and Cubans were forced to turn to traditional means to obtain it. The result was that Cuban agriculture became the most ecological in the entire world, not because of a deliberate program but as an accommodation to a situation imposed by circumstances. Even recognizing that the Cuban case cannot be generalized, it gives some idea of the problems to be derived from future energy shortages. It shows also that energy scarcity – even if it is imposed by circumstances – may be an opportunity for an agroecological transition towards an agricultural and food model that is both more sustainable and healthier.

Keywords: energy crisis, scarcity, agroecology, transition.