Representatives from various agricultural organizations in North Carolina recently sent a delegation to Cuba to improve economic relations and establish mutually beneficial trade relations.

Headed by the N.C. Farm Bureau, the delegation consisted of members of the N.C. State Grange, members of the School of Agriculture at N.C. State University, representatives from the N.C. Department of Agriculture, various farmers and other people in the state’s agribusiness industry, according to Dr. Robert Cayton, president of the Beaufort County Grange.

Laurie Barnhart, legislative director of the NC State Grange, said the delegation was meant to strengthen relations between North Carolina and Cuba, as well as to better understand the agro-economic climate. The trip also allowed the delegation to better understand the issues the Cuban people face and could provide an opportunity for North Carolina to aid the nation and its economy, Cayton said.

In 1961, during the Cold War, the United States severed diplomatic ties with Cuba and implemented embargos against the country. Cuba, a Communist nation, practices collectivism, meaning everyone owns everything, which is operated by the Cuban government, according to Cayton. Since the administration of U.S. President Jimmy Carter, the United States, and every administration since, has worked to strengthen and expand relations with Cuba, Cayton said.

“(The delegation) was to begin to explore how North Carolina agriculture can help and be helped with a stronger trade relationship with Cuba,” Cayton said.

Cayton said the delegation met with Cuban farmers, directors of Cuban coops, faculty members from universities in Cuba and other Cuban representatives of the nation. The N.C. delegation also toured farms and a cigar manufacturing plant and were able to see tobacco production in the country and discussed possible ways to benefit from an economic partnership.

The NC State Grange, an agricultural organization interested in the advancement of agricultural, the preservation of North Carolina’s agricultural heritage and promoting strong farming families, works to promote programs to help improve the quality of life in the state. With agriculture being the state’s primary economic engine, the partnership with Cuba enables the Grange to fulfill its mission in relation to other organizations in the state, Cayton said.

“It’s a great opportunity for North Carolina,” Cayton said. “There’s a great opportunity for this state and the agroindustry to find a market close to home to strengthen the economic fiber of North Carolina, as well as help the people of Cuba. (The potential partnership) is going to mean, I believe, an opportunity for the sale of products produced in North Carolina, including not only farm crops themselves, but also equipment, technology and the research that N.C State is leading in. That will be a direct benefit to all of the North Carolina. We can learn from the Cuban people, too.”

According to Barnhart, the Cuban people have little money to be able to purchase commodities such as beef. During the visit, members of the delegation were able to see the country’s lack of progression and industry over the decades, Barnhart said.

“(The delegation) was just to get a feel for how the people were,” Barnhart said. “If they aren’t accepting of us lifting the trade embargo, it’s going to be hard. We have so much to offer them. I think (if the embargoes are lifted) they will be free to buy our products, especially our beef cattle. But first, they need the money to do it, and opening up tourism to have an influx of money could do that. I am hopeful things will change.”