Thanks for a great post, again!

With regards to Cuba and democracy, there is another driver often recognised in agricultural research. This is that scarcity of resources drives creativity. I think it was James Lovelock (of Gaia fame) who reflected that many parts of the research system are so well resourced that they can comfortably live within their silos and paradigms, and not have to venture into the spaces between where creativity and major innovation/disruption thrives. Being cut off was a motivator for Cuba to innovate.

Now for our opportunity...Cuba came up with a useful way to foster a more sustainable food production system. The farming processes and business structures they used are far more diverse (and resilient?) than many other systems. The whole system is more inclusive. And yes, it is not a perfect system without its own issues, but...What can we learn from that? And how can we capture the learning? Where are the transferable ideas?

Shaun