But even joint ventures bring Cuban workers and managers into contact with the capitalist world through training in marketing, international business practices, customer service, mining methods and safety. In Cuban agriculture, market mechanisms are being introduced to boost production. On some cooperatives, after farmers meet their production quota for the state, they grow crops of their own choice for their own consumption or for sale on the market. This surplus production supplies the farmer's markets operating throughout Cuba. The markets employ producers, truckers, and vendors.
Small business represents Cuba's most significant grant of autonomy to individuals.
Five years ago, it was illegal for a Cuban citizen to quit a job and set up shop as a carpenter, hairdresser, restauranteur, or mechanic. Today it is legal, and over 150,000 Cubans are licensed, working entrepreneurs. Most are one-person businesses, barred from hiring employees. Restaurants are limited to twelve seats. For most, there is no wholesale supply market.