Fertilizer use by crop in Cuba

The permanent and temporary crops of the Republic of Cuba cover an area of 3.7 million ha, of which almost half is occupied by sugar cane. In recent years, there has been a substantial decrease in the use of agricultural inputs in Cuba, with a consequent fall in the yields of most crops. The use of mineral fertilizers fell by 80 percent during the 1990s. The knowledge is available; the Agrochemical Pedological Service, for example, began its activities over a century ago and is still operating. The agro-ecological zones best suited to the different crops have been identified and recommendations are well established. However, in the case of most crops, economic constraints prevent their implementation.