Oxen and horses put back to work in Cuba

Lack of fuel is forcing Cubans to return to animal power for farming, transport and travel

Published: December 12, 2019 09:48 AFP and Compiled by Christian Borbon, Digital Content Producer

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A lack of fuel, in large part due to the US blockade, is forcing Cubans to return to horse and ox power for farming, transport and everyday travel. Image Credit: AFP

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Cubans travel in a carriage in Santiago de Cuba province. Image Credit: AFP

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In Los Palacios, 100 kilometers (60 miles) of the west of the capital Havana, Heriberto Piloto bellows at his oxen "Montezuelo" and "Pasajero" as they plough a tobacco field at the "La Juanita" farm. Image Credit: AFP

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Due to a lack of fuel, Cuba resorts to animal traction to boost its agriculture and the transport of goods and people in rural areas Image Credit: AFP

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Once the fields were ploughed by tractors, plus some animal help, but now beasts of burden are the only option, meaning the job of ploughman has made a comeback too in Cuba's fields. Image Credit: AFP

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Horse carriages in Granma province, Cuba. Image Credit: AFP

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"Under normal conditions, we always used animals and... given the country's fuel restrictions, we've had to increase this activity," said Alfredo Reynoso, the director of the state company Cubaquivir, which provides services to the 12 agricultural cooperatives in Los Palacios. Image Credit: AFP

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"We need to prepare around 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) of land with animal power during the cold season," Reynoso added. Image Credit: AFP

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There are neighborhoods where there are no buses, but there are carriages. Image Credit: AFP

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Rides cost between two and five pesos (a maximum of 20 cents). Image Credit: AFP

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It's not the first time that Cuba has had to revert to the use of pack and draught animals. Image Credit: AFP

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The government encouraged their use during the economic crisis of the 1990s that followed the break-up of the old Soviet Union, which had been Cuba's main foreign backer. Image Credit: AFP

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The problem is that Cuba doesn't have enough beasts to take up the strain of silenced engines. Image Credit: AFP

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Cuba has almost 200,000 pack animals, according to official data. Image Credit: AFP

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Farmers work in a field using oxen to plow the land in Los Palacios, Pinar del Rio province Image Credit: AFP

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Horse carriages in Granma province, Cuba Image Credit: AFP

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A farmer transport his oxen along a road in Granma province, Cuba Image Credit: AFP

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Farmers work in a field using oxen to plow the land in Los Palacios, Pinar del Rio province Image Credit: AFP

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Farmers work in a field using oxen to plow the land in Los Palacios, Pinar del Rio province. Image Credit: AFP

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Anyone would want a tractor, but it's impossible. Image Credit: AFP

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