The Productive Forces and Their Ties

The Productive Forces and Their Ties / Yoani Sanchez

Posted on June 19, 2013



The same day that Marino Murillo, Cuba's Minister of Economy and

Planning, appeared on television explaining the prosperity potential of

the Cuban economic model in the municipality of Pinar del Rio, he met

urgently with several farmers. The meeting took place in the town of San

Juan y Martinez and focused on the agricultural state of emergency

across the country. Among other topics, the official demanded that the

cooperative members in the area — especially those dedicated to the

cultivation of tobacco — sow more vegetables and grains. "The country is

experiencing a food crisis," he said, without provoking any turmoil

among those listening because ordinary Cubans don't remember any state

other than crisis, anxiety and chronic collapse. "Keep sowing, and later

the resources will come…" he said hurriedly to people who had heard more

unmet promises than mockingbird songs.



At one point the meeting changed direction and those called together

began to set the day's agenda. Then the complaints rained down. A fruit

grower explained the impediments to contracting directly with La

Conchita factory and marketing his guavas and mangoes. Instead, he had

to sell his production to Acopio, the State entity, which in turn was

charged with supplying the pulp and jam industry. The official

intermediary still exists, and gets the major economic share, the grower

asserted. For his part, 400 yards of wire fencing to enclose the land

costs a State agricultural company some 80 pesos ($3.30 USD); while the

farmer affiliated with a cooperative can expect to pay 600 pesos ($25.00

USD) for the same amount. A sack of cement — indispensable in expanding

the facilities of a farm — has a maximum value of 20 pesos ($0.83 USD)

for the State farm, and 120 pesos ($5.00 USD) retail price for the

cooperative member.



When the relations of production become a straitjacket for the

development of the productive forces, then these relations have to

change. This is in keeping with one of the Marxist conclusions we most

study in high school and college. Thus, on comparing Marino Murillo's

declarations with the testimony of several farmers and the agricultural

disaster all around us, one can only conclude that the current economic

model behaves like a deadly embrace for the development and prosperity

of Cuba. It's not particularly helpful that the officials tell us that

now, indeed, prosperity and progress are just around the corner. If the

man in the furrow remains gripped by the absurd, who establish so many

restrictions, they should step aside and make way for others who can do

it better.



19 June 2013



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