Best practices for small farmers in Cuba and Costa Rica in the Global Era (1990-2008)

Abstract

This article explores the evolution of cooperatives in Costa Rica and urban agriculture in Cuba as two cases of best practices among small-scale farmers to engage in a process of agricultural development from 1990 to 2008. This article shows how both avenues have enabled small-scale farmers to expand production and secure their long term survival under diverse agricultural strategies in the context of globalisation. The principal conclusion of the paper is that these channels might have the potential to create similar opportunities for small-holders in other developing economies applying different agricultural policies.