On the cooperative farms, the group learned of the low protein livestock rations that are not up to American standards. The sugar cane is augmented by natural forages and some urea as an additive. Haner said trade with the U.S. would provide the opportunity for Cuba to upgrade their agricultural production standards. Currently, most grain imports are used for human consumption. Rice farmer Bob Reed said that rice held special interest for representatives of the Cuban government in discussion with the Farm Bureau group.
Rice is a key component of the Cuban diet.
In the days before the embargo, much of the Texas rice crop, high quality, long-grain rice, was shipped to Cuba. It was obvious that consumers there would love to have the chance to buy it again. Though some Cubans are clearly not happy with their economic status, there is no serious movement against the government of Fidel Castro. In that respect, the embargo has clearly failed. There is hope in Cuba, and for some in the U.S., that a new middle class will soon establish itself, built almost entirely on a tourist trade that shows much promise.