The programme covers 133 municipalities across 14 local provinces, engaging around 23,000 producers and farmers, with the goal of planting 200,000 hectares of rice in 2026. It welcomes the involvement from all economic sectors, both for private consumption and for contributing to the national food balance and budget. The cultivation drive will be supported by domestically and internationally sourced seed varieties, including those supplied by Vietnam.

Orlando Linares Morel, President of the agricultural business group under Cuba’s Ministry of Agriculture, said the programme is set to begin as early as November, once water conditions are stable. Large enterprises and specialised centres in Pinar del Río, Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus, Camagüey, and Granma provinces will take responsibility for cultivating 100,000 hectares of specialised rice, while the remainder will be planted with popular varieties.

Under the national target, Cuba aims to produce 600,000 tonnes of rice by 2030, meeting 86% of domestic demand. At present, the country still imports around 350,000 tonnes of the grain annually.

Vietnam – Cuba rice project bears “golden seeds” of friendship

After 23 years of implementation (2002–2025), the Vietnam – Cuba cooperation project on rice production (VIBA) has achieved remarkable success, helping the Caribbean nation move toward food security and self-sufficiency.