𝑨𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝑹𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎

(𝑳𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑯𝒂𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒂)

ᴅᴇᴀʀ ᴄᴏᴍʀᴀᴅᴇꜱ,

We know of the sympathy with which the whole world is following the revolutionary struggle of the people of Cuba. And your readers will undoubtedly be interested in hearing how the agrarian reform at the present stage the key to the Cuban revolution -is progressing.

The Agrarian Reform Law was proclaimed on May 17, 1950, in La Plata (Oriente Province) in the very same hut which sheltered Fidel Castro in the difficult days when, at the head of his valiant guerillas, he began the struggle against the Batista tyranny. A little over a year has passed since then, but this period of time, brief though it be, has seen some great successes. The people have swept away the numerous obstacles placed in their path by the reactionaries, that is, the North American imperialists, the lati- fundists, the big compradore bourgeoisie, a part of the agricultural bourgeoisie and the remnants of the supporters of the old regime. The mass of the people is solidly behind the agrarian reform, while the revolutionary government, relying on the people, is rapidly and unhesitatingly giving it effect.

The year 1960 has been proclaimed the year of agrarian reform. What has been done? First a National Agrarian Reform Institute (INRA) has been set up which, under the guidance of Fidel Castro and some of his brave companions-in-arms, tested revolutionaries, is responsible for translating this great law into life. INRA has been very active during this time.

By April 1, 222,827 caballerias¹ of land formerly belonging to prominent figures of the tyranical regime, imperialist companies and latifundists were officially taken over by the Institute and are now being distributed among the peasants. The government has allocated 75 million pesos2 for agricultural development. A substantial part of this sum is earmarked for the purchase of machinery; 2,800 tractors of various types, 400 bulldozers, sowers, irrigation machines, etc., have already been made available. By March last, 1,400 “people’s stores” and 25 depots had been set up which sell the peasants goods at reasonable prices, thus preventing them from being fleeced by profiteering shopkeepers.