Brian Jeffrey
“Observing these lush fields brimming with grain, as stunning as a work of art, and yielding more than previous years, I realized we had achieved something significant,” Tham expressed.
Tham is one of 15 Vietnamese members participating in the concluding year of the fifth phase of a rice production initiative between Vietnam and Cuba. Arriving in Havana after a lengthy 30-hour flight in November 2024, they encountered an airport plunged into darkness due to a power failure, forcing immigration officers to work using flashlights. “It made me aware of the serious challenges here,” Tham noted.
Charged with revitalizing agriculture in three central provinces of Cuba, Tham grappled with a struggling sector. Fields remained uncultivated amidst fuel, electricity, and irrigation shortages, with blackouts lasting up to 20 hours each day. Overexploited rice paddies, overtaken by weeds, frequently went unharvested because machinery lacked fuel. Yet, Tham remained optimistic: “The rich soil and temperate climate offer ideal conditions for growing crops.”
Nguyen Chi Vuong, leading a Vietnamese team in Sancti Spiritus province, identified outdated methods as a significant hurdle. Local farmers often sowed dry rice seeds into flooded fields using up to 171kg per hectare, far exceeding optimal requirements, resulting in poor germination and wasted resources. The light loamy soil, losing nutrients without proper plowing, further exacerbated the issue.
Unfazed, the team implemented modern methods, offering guidance on crop choice, seed production, and intensive agricultural practices. After five months, their hard work paid off. “Our rice models flourished,” Tham observed.
They overcame language barriers with creativity. “We had interpreters, but we also used gestures, colloquialisms, and smiles; we referred to it as ‘body language’,” Vuong explained.
Pham Van Thuan, the head of the delegation, emphasized the mission’s deeper significance. “We did not come merely with seeds, but with our passion,” he stated. “Our greatest achievement lies in witnessing Cubans confidently implement these techniques and strive towards food independence.”
