Nov

2011

6:25pm, EST

Javier Galeano / AP

A farmer works at a hydroponics farm which uses specialized irrigation methods to grow vegetables in smaller, non-rural areas, in Havana, Cuba, Monday Nov. 21, 2011. The Cuban government is authorizing farmers to sell their products directly to state-run tourist hotels and restaurants, eliminating the need to go through a government redistributor, authorities said Monday.

Cuba OKs direct farm sales to tourism sector

By Rich Shulman

While President Raul Castro's economic reforms are no doubt welcome, only time will tell if they will make a real difference.

AP reports:

HAVANA — The Cuban government is authorizing farmers to sell their products directly to state-run tourist hotels and restaurants, eliminating the need to go through a government redistributor, authorities said Monday.

The measure also lets buyers and sellers negotiate their own prices, according to the Official Gazette, a government publication that disseminates new laws.

Analysis: Cuba reforms convincing island's cynics

Previous images from Cuba on PhotoBlog.