Above: Havana

By the Caribbean Journal staff

As thousands of Cuban doctors begin the process of heading to Brazil, the South American country is looking to return the favour in the agricultural sector.

A delegation from the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul is currently visiting Cuba, as part of a plan to “strengthen the bonds of cooperation and exchange between the two countries in the agricultural industry,” according to a Cuban government statement.

The Rio Grande do Sul state is Brazil’s rice basket.

The delegation will be in Cuba until next Friday, with trips planned to scientific institutions, producers and state agencies.

The projects cover areas including rice, milk and fruit, Cuba’s government said, with the aim of allowing the transfer of technology and machinery to improve Cuba’s food security.

Brazil also hopes to learn from Cuba’s agricultural sector, particularly the way Cuban farmers have used organic fertilizers, the government said.

Last year, trade between Cuba and Brazil was more than $600 million, with the vast majority involving the purchase of food.