The Cría Lindero Basic Enterprise Unit, part of the Artemisa Porcine Enterprise, has started to regain its production capabilities after months of collaboration with the private medium-sized company Don Pereda. This partnership aims to become the first of its kind within Cuba's pig farming sector, as reported by the official newspaper El artemiseño on Sunday.
Earlier this year, the farm faced a dire situation. Dozens of sows perished, many of them pregnant, while boars were in poor condition, with animals enduring days without water due to a malfunctioning pump that supplied the pens.
The lack of food and proper sanitary conditions also posed the risk of scabies and diarrhea outbreaks. Veterinarian Isleydis Álvarez García described the scene as one leading towards the complete shutdown of the unit.
Adding to the challenges of food supply and water access were structural damages caused by Hurricane Rafael in November 2024. Several barns lost their roofs and remained unrepaired due to resource shortages.
Private Partnership as a Lifeline
Faced with the deterioration of the facility, the management of the state-run enterprise sought an alternative through economic transformations that encourage partnerships between public entities and private actors. Since February, Don Pereda, led by Yoicel Pereda Milián, has been actively involved in the recovery of Cría Lindero, highlighted the media outlet.
The private company fixed the water pump, installed hoses to supply the pens, and repaired parts of the structures damaged by the hurricane. They also restored perimeter fences, improved lighting with a focus on solar energy, and undertook cleaning and maintenance tasks.
Another crucial contribution is the provision of nearly two tons of feed per day, ensuring the animals are fed twice daily. According to the workers, mortality rates have halted, and birth indicators have started to improve.
Improved Workforce Conditions
The 27 employees of the unit continue to receive a state salary averaging about 4,000 pesos monthly, though their working conditions have improved with the involvement of the private partner.
Don Pereda covers meal expenses during work hours and ensures staff transportation with an electric tricycle. Employees also periodically receive around 10 pounds of pork for free, the source noted.
This experience is seen as a potential solution for reviving pig production through cooperation between the state and private sectors. However, the very need to rely on private capital to repair infrastructure, secure water, and fund animal feed highlights the challenges the state farm faced in maintaining its operations.
Official data confirms that pig production in Cuba plummeted by 95.2% between 2017 and 2023, a situation economist Pedro Monreal described as a "national disaster."
By 2024, the country was producing only about 9,000 tons of pork compared to over 200,000 in 2018. Last August, pork prices soared to 1,400 pesos per pound in the informal market, while the official average salary hovered around 7,074 pesos monthly.
Challenges Facing Cuba's Pig Farming Sector
What led to the near collapse of the Cría Lindero pig farm?
The farm faced a crisis due to the death of many sows, poor condition of boars, water shortages, and lack of food and sanitary conditions, compounded by structural damage from Hurricane Rafael.
How has the partnership with Don Pereda benefited the farm?
The private firm repaired essential infrastructure, provided regular feed supplies, and improved working conditions, which helped stabilize and improve the farm's production and animal health.
What does the situation at Cría Lindero reveal about Cuba's agricultural sector?
The reliance on private capital to address basic operational needs exposes the severe difficulties faced by state-run farms in Cuba, highlighting broader systemic issues in the country's agricultural sector.