BY RAISA PAGES (Granma International staff writer)

                   IF the embargo were lifted, the average U.S. farmer would feel a
                   difference in his life within two or three years, commented C. Parr
                   Rossom, agricultural economy professor at the Texas A&M University
                   and co-author of a study on the economic impact of U.S. agricultural
                   exports to Cuba.

                   According to Dagoberto Rodríguez, head of the Cuban Interest
                   Section in Washington, the U.S. economy is missing the opportunity
                   to export more than $1 billion USD in agricultural products to Cuba
                   because of the U.S. blockade, and farmers from Arkansas and
                   California are the most affected. In declarations made to the
                   California newspaper La Opinion, the Cuban diplomat cited academic
                   studies on agricultural economic experts from Texas.

                   Although the statements made by the U.S. executive branch do not
                   reveal any flexibility in relations with the island, members of
                   Congress, academics and businesspersons advocate lifting barriers,
                   Rodríguez said.

                   The recent visits made by businesspersons from various U.S. states
                   reflect the interest within that country’s business sector in trading
                   with the island, even though such trade is limited by the U.S.
                   government policy of persecuting Cuba.

                   Rodríguez indicated that without the existence of those barriers, U.S.
                   investment in Cuba could amount to the island’s current total foreign
                   capital. At the present time, there are some 400 companies
                   established in Cuba, mostly from Canada, Mexico and Spain.

                   THE OPEN WINDOW

                   The terrible scourge brought to Cuba by Hurricane Michelle last
                   November generated a gesture of flexibility towards the island by the
                   U.S. government: the latter permitted the exportation of U.S.
                   foodstuffs, to date totaling 228 tons of grains, cereals and chicken
                   valued at $35 million USD, an amount that could be increased if Cuba
                   were not obligated to pay in advance and in cash, according to
                   recent declarations made by President Fidel Castro.

                   Rodríguez believes that this window on international trade also
                   represents a business opportunity for the United States. Rice and
                   grains, produced in great quantities in California, are two of the
                   products Cuba is most interested in purchasing. As Rodríguez points
                   out in his interview with La Opinión, if the embargo were lifted,
                   California would the one of the states reaping the most benefits.

                   However, not only Californians hope for these opportunities. In
                   recent days, a delegation from Kentucky explored business
                   possibilities in Cuba, including in the agricultural and fishing sectors.

                   Due to tobacco quota cuts, close to 70 percent of Kentucky’s
                   agriculture is in decline, stated Scotty Baesler, former lobbyist and
                   co-organizer of the trip, along with the non-governmental
                   organization Center for International Policy, with headquarters in
                   Washington.

                   Contacts were made between James Tidwell of the University of
                   Kentucky and officials from the Ministry of the Fishing Industry,
                   regarding possible shrimp and lobster breeding grounds in Cuba for
                   export to that U.S. state.

                   Information from the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council
                   reported on another recent Cuban $17.5 million USD purchase of
                   corn, wheat, soy products and rice from U.S. company Archer
                   Daniels Midland, which will continue to be delivered until May.

                   The U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council also noted an agreement
                   signed between the Cuban company Alimport and Tyson Foods of
                   the United States, to purchase another 1,000 tons of frozen chicken,
                   valued at just under $500,000, German news agency DPA reported.
                   Cuba’s previous chicken purchase, following Hurricane Michelle,
                   consisted of more than 7,000 tons from various U.S. companies.
                   What’s more, a visit to Cuba is planned by some 20 chicken and egg
                   distributors.

                   However, the Bush administration has clarified that these sales do
                   not change his hostile policy towards the island.