Iván lives in Tabor, Cuba, and has been working as an English language teacher for several years. With the support of the Hub-EdC Cuba project that supports those who want to stay on the island by starting their own business, Iván has decided to take a new path: “My experience began in January 2020, when I participated in the EdC congress.” Since then Iván started with a small vegetable production of just half a hectare, then with the support of Economy of Communion was able to increase cultivation to twenty-four hectares: “The additional land that I could cultivate was assigned to me for use by the municipal administration, thanks to the good relationships built and the results achieved with the work already done”. Iván now grows flowers, but also beans, rice, corn, peanuts, melon, yucca, banana. And also: fruit trees such as coconut, mango, avocado and guava. His projects do not stop here, however, he plans to develop his business activity even more: “I would like to expand production, build a house to improve the living conditions on the farm and also build a small place to sell fruit juices”. In short, the Tabor teacher certainly has no shortage of ideas for the future. And dreams are not lacking either: “We dream of buying a tractor that makes work easier and of improving in the trade sector by selling not only our products but also those of other farmers in the area. I am convinced that together we will achieve this goal”. His brothers work on the farm alongside Iván. In some periods of the year, when cultivation requires it, twelve more people are added: agricultural activity, with its ability to provide jobs, therefore has a positive impact on the community. In this area of the Cuban territory, moreover, there is a constant shortage of food products, for this reason and to put the concept of reciprocity into practice, Iván has donated some of his agricultural products to some institutions in the area – such as hospitals – to meet the needs of the community in which he lives. Iván’s business is also part of a Reciprocity Fund that aims to collaborate in the development of other entrepreneurial activities on the island of Cuba, and he is grateful and proud of all this: “I would like to express my gratitude to all the people who have contributed to this agroforestry project. To the coordination of the EdC of Cuba, whose members have been at my side, accompanying me and advising me in every challenge and obstacle that has arisen. My gratitude also goes to all those people and institutions that have voluntarily supported me from other countries”.
