The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will co‑fund half the cost of 2,000 photovoltaic kits that the Cuban‑Italian joint venture BioCubaCafé will distribute to coffee growers in eastern Cuba. According to a report by the state news agency Prensa Latina, the first 1,000 kits—each valued at US$360—have already arrived in Santiago de Cuba province and are available for purchase at US$180, with the FAO subsidy covering the difference. The kits were developed by BioCubaCafé’s technical and research and development departments. They operate on a 12‑volt direct‑current solar panel and include five bulbs, two USB ports, a fan with a lamp, and a battery that stores energy for use at night. The company notes that the system does not require an inverter, which reduces cost and simplifies installation. BioCubaCafé has stated that growers will not need to make an upfront cash payment. Instead, the cost will be deducted from the revenue generated by the sale of coffee from the 2026‑2027 harvest. Priority for the kits will be given to growers who met the commitments of the previous harvest. The company says the kits are part of a broader set of measures aimed at securing coffee production in the mountainous region of eastern Cuba, which was affected by Hurricane Melissa last year. The kit was first presented at the FAO World Food Forum 2026 in Rome, held from 13 to 16 October, where it was highlighted for potential use in the organization’s development programs in Africa.
Article source: El Nuevo Diario | Image credit: El Nuevo Diario