Elk Grove lawmaker returns from Cuba, talks trade, agriculture
A special delegation from California just returned from Cuba. The trip comes just a few months after the U.S. began normalizing ties with the country.
Assem. Jim Cooper from Elk Grove returned Friday from the official agricultural trade mission. He spent four days in Cuba with a large group of local farmers and several democratic members of the California Assembly.
“It was really interesting to go over here and see what issues and needs are,” Cooper explained. “I really think it is an opportunity for California to come in and help. It also helps us grow the economy and more jobs.”
Cooper is on the Agricultural Committee representing the Central Valley and California. He said the delegation toured Cuban farms and processing businesses and met with Cuban leaders. The assembly member said the goal is to build a relationship with Cuba and to hopefully start exporting products, including California’s produce — like our almonds, walnuts or wine grapes.
“Our big emphasis is to try and get California produce into Cuba,” Cooper said. “Because of their climate, some things they grow, some things they cannot. With the Central Valley, California produces $2.3 billion in agriculture for the entire country. So, lots of opportunity there for California farmers.”
One thing Cooper learned, there’s no pesticides in Cuba.
“When the Soviet Union left, they lost their pesticides so all their farming is organic,” Cooper said.
He said California and Cuba have a lot to learn from each other when it comes to agriculture.
Another big issue, the economy. Cooper said the delegation visited with workers at a tobacco processing plant.
“These workers, they make $26 a month,” Cooper explained. He said he talked to one worker, a single mother, who “rolls 110 cigars a day.”
Cuba faces some other challenges too with its old infrastructure.
“This old tractor was built in the 40s or 50s and because they don’t have access to lots of parts, they make due with what they have,” Cooper said.
It was a very quick trip to Cuba, but a worthwhile one for lawmakers and members of the farming and agriculture community, Cooper said. They toured farms, talked to locals and learned a lot.
“I know a lot but It’s just surprising what they deal with,” Cooper said.
Cooper said lawmakers who were part of the delegation paid for the trip themselves.
(From: 10 News ABC)
