Basic Units of Cooperative Production

Basic Units of Cooperative Production (UPBCs) are a type of collective farm established in Cuba at the end of 1993.


 * "The UPBCs are productive units with a cooperative structure, that farm state lands which were given free of charge to the cooperatives in permanent usufruct (the average acreage is substantially smaller than the former state farms, which have been broken up to form the UBPCs). Other means of production such as buildings, machinery, animals, irrigation systems, and tools, were sold to the cooperatives at favorable prices with low-interest loans, and as such constitute private property of the cooperative. The UBPCs maintain commercial relationships with the distribution change of the original state enterprise from which they emerged, and negotiate prices and production plans based on a quota system. Surplus production is sold at the farmers' markets at prices set by supply and demand, and through other outlets. The UBPCs also receive technical support from the enterprise, from which they purchase inputs and additional equipment as needed.


 * "In terms of numbers and area the UBPCs are now the predominant type of farm in Cuban agriculture. In 1997 there were 2,654 UBPCs with 272,407 members occupying 42 percent of the land."

Related Sourcewatch articles

 * Special Period in Time of Peace
 * Organic Agriculture in Cuba During the Special Period
 * Cuban Agriculture 1959-1989
 * Agriculture Production Cooperatives (CPAs)
 * Credit and Service Cooperatives (CCSs)
 * National Small Farmers Association of Cuba (ANAP)