Estevez, who said that state banks have lent millions at interest rates ranging from 3% in the first years to a high of 7%, added that, although figures may vary from year to year, today the challenge is bigger than ever due to the current process to update the national economic model.

The executive told Juventud Rebelde that granting agricultural credits is a risky activity because of the perils associated to climate, plagues, and diseases.

Cuba’s restructuring of the agricultural sector began in 2008, when private farmers were allowed to cultivate fallow state land. The main purpose of the initiative is to reduce dependence on costly food imports and is part of a wider economic  overhaul. Farmers can work plots as big as 100 acres (40 hectares) in renewable agreements of 10 years for individuals and up to 25 years for cooperatives.