The La Rosa farm, located in the province of Holguín, has become a benchmark for energy and food sovereignty in Cuba.
Faced with limitations in accessing conventional fuels and fertilizers due to the U.S. blockade, the farm implements a closed-loop model that transforms waste into resources, minimizing the use of chemicals and strengthening sustainability.
Biogas and biofertilizers: clean energy and fertile soils
The core of the strategy is the utilization of pig and cattle waste through a biogas plant.
- Clean energy: biogas is used for cooking, improving rural quality of life.
- Biofertilizers: the byproduct provides nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (1.5–5%) and up to 25% protein, ensuring soil nutrition without external dependency.
Renewable technologies in action
The farm complements its autonomy with:
- Windmills for water extraction.
- Photovoltaic solar panels to support the irrigation system.
These resources help reduce fossil fuel consumption and take advantage of the high solar radiation in the Caribbean.
Knowledge and permaculture
The farm’s learnings are enriched with national and international academic exchanges. Principles of permaculture and biodiversity are applied, resulting in healthy products free of synthetic additives.
The community of Velasco, in the Sierra Los Pajaritos area, stands out for its participation in the global network of agro-energy farms, aligning Cuban agroecology with international movements that promote good, clean, and fair food.
Political and energy context
In January 2026, the United States signed an executive order declaring a national emergency, imposing restrictions on oil supply to Cuba.
This led to a fuel shortage, but also to international solidarity and the search for local alternatives such as solar energy.
Solar energy: key to energy sovereignty
Solar energy has become a pillar to alleviate the energy crisis and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Key points of solar energy in Cuba
- Solution to the energy crisis: in the face of prolonged blackouts, solar panels offer a quick and safe alternative.
- High solar potential: average radiation of 5–6 kWh/m²/day, sufficient for much of the year.
- Environmental sustainability: reduces emissions and noise pollution.
- Savings and autonomy: solar kits allow energy independence and cost reduction.
- Social applications: used in medical clinics, rural hospitals, schools, and television rooms in remote areas.
The La Rosa farm demonstrates that agroecological innovation can be a concrete response to the challenges of the blockade and the energy crisis. Its closed-loop model, based on biogas, biofertilizers, and renewable energies, positions energy and food sovereignty as a pillar of sustainability in Cuba.
