AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVES IN CUBA AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This paper presents the major theoretical and practical aspects of the relationship between local development and agricultural cooperatives in Cuba. It shows the importance of local development as a process that contributes to the revitalization of the territorial economy and the preservation of local identity and supports existing economic networks. Jiménez Guethón argues that agricultural cooperatives combine economic efficiency and productivity with local development. Local development can strengthen the links and synergies among communities, agricultural cooperatives and local authorities at the grass roots level, stimulating participation in decision-making and the empowerment of members of the communities and agricultural cooperatives.
The author also introduces some of the current challenges in Cuba regarding the relationship between local development and agricultural cooperatives. 

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