Continental in size, this great country has resources to match, whether those resources cited happen to be its population or cornucopia of natural resources.
One of its most valued resources is that its people have embraced democracy and the rule of law as fundaments to its future growth and development.
In today’s commentary, we reference this country’s expanding relations with nations in our region, inclusive of Haiti and Cuba.
Today we take note of some initiatives it has forged with Cuba.
We cite the growing agricultural cooperation between Brazil and Cuba, with the focus being put on soybean production.
While Cuba has indeed studied the possibility of growing soy for a number of years with advice from Canadian and South American experts, this has been to no avail.
Things may now be set to change.
Some new information to the effect that, "Brazil and Cuba announced on Friday that the South American powerhouse was providing technical assistance and seed to the Communist-run Caribbean island to grow soybeans on an industrial scale for the first time."
Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim, speaking in Havana to a meeting of Brazilian and Cuban businessmen, said the project represented "a new and important moment for Cuba's development."
Amorim, who arrived on Thursday with dozens of businessmen for a two-day visit, said land was already identified for the project and seed ready.
Brazil is one of the world's largest producers of genetically modified soy, but it was not clear if it would be used in Cuba.
We do know that soy – modified or not – is truly a wonder crop. As research reveals, soy happens to be nontoxic, nonpolluting, and biodegradable.
Soy is becoming the precursor of choice for manufacturing paints, solvents, textiles, lubricants, plastics of every variety, and countless other products.
Indeed, soy – as we are told – provides oil for chainsaw motors in Montana, glue for plywood cabinets in Michigan, foam insulation for offices in Massachusetts, and backing for artificial turf in putting greens and stadiums throughout the Midwest.
Most of this soy is produced in a place in Brazil that is aptly named, Soylandia.
Again, research reveals that, "Soylandia, with nearly 60% of the world market, dominates the global soy trade. And Brazil - the heart of Soylandia - is an agricultural powerhouse. Not only is it the world's biggest soy exporter, a title it seized from the U.S. in 2006, but it has the world's biggest farm trade surplus, $27.5 billion last year.
Brazil is the world’s leading producer of beef, poultry, pork, ethanol, coffee, orange juice concentrate, sugar, and tobacco.
Facts and figures show that Brazil has seen farm exports grow an average of 20% a year since 2000, according to the USDA.
Of all those products, soy is by far the most important. Today, demand for soy is exploding.
This is witnessed and evidenced by the fact that the use of soy for animal feed is soaring. China wants it for its fast-growing poultry, swine, and fish-farming industries, while Europe increasingly demands it because soy-fed cattle can't develop mad cow disease.
This information and more like it amply illuminates why this wonder bean would so pique the interests and tastes of the Cuban people, and thus Celso Amorim’s remarks concerning possible joint ventures between Brazil and Cuba in the future.
There is talk from the Cuban Foreign Trade Minister Raul de la Nuez that some 30,000 to 40,000 hectares of land to start, but with possibilities to extend it.
This is to be done as part of an experiment. As the Trade Minister rightly suggests, "We have to develop it little by little because it is not something we have grown before in Cuba."
This is a matter of the highest priority for the Government and people of Cuba.
"Cuban President Raul Castro recently termed increased agricultural output "a matter of national security."
A Cuba that wishes for, craves and values its freedom would wish to increase the amount of food that is home-grown.
In our view, so too should countries like The Bahamas and its other neighbours in the region.
- Austin DWI - New York DWI