Day 3/1

This was the first day were we moved away from the touristic trail. Even if still in the capital we started today to tackle the Fair Trade/ agricultural issues that will be at the centre of the tour from now on.First thing in the morning we visited Anap (Asociacion National Agricultores Pequenos) the associasion of small farmers. Tthis is a state run organisation that take care of the interests of their member around the island. Anap was also involved from the very beginning to the implementation of the Fair Trade model in Cuba.The person that we were supposed to meet (Deborah) was delayed when her car broke down. We anyway went on with the presentation and we had the luck to have her boss (Mario ) to do the talk. It was a very informal event that took place in their national building. Mario is the typical cuban, his resenblance are fairly similar to the one of Ibrahim Ferrer (late singer of Buena Vista Social Club). The clearly likes to talk and he entertained us with a speech that covered all the various tasks of Anap since the Cuban agrarian reform 1959. It was very enjoyable to hear from his mouth the important role that the organisation is playing in coordinating and helping small farmers. At the end he took questions and we went on for quite a bit covering vqrious issues including FT.