The Garden of Wonders
A biochemist and a teacher have cultivated a world of food sovereignty in the city.
Anaisis Hidalgo Rodríguez | internet@granma.cu
July, 2026
What is extraordinary about La Rosita is not its size, but the astonishing density of innovation it houses. María Rosa, 66, a teacher by training and a farmer by birth, and Josué, a 67-year-old biochemist, have transformed every corner into a productive ecosystem.
“I’m a peasant from the mountains of Ceiba Caridad. I inherited a farm from my parents, a caballeria of land, which is my greatest treasure. I became a teacher, but I’ve always been passionate about caring for plants and animals; they bring me comfort and ensure food for my family, friends, and neighbors. This patio is a miniature version of that farm in the heart of the city,” explains María Rosa.
The couple has achieved meticulous use of space in their patio, which incorporates nearly 19 agricultural sub-programs. It’s surprising to see banana plants emerging alongside medicinal, ornamental, aromatic, and fruit-bearing plants in the most unexpected pots, even on the roof of their house, and the development of a whole system that includes family aquaculture with red tilapia, raising rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, two peacocks, a few pheasants, pigs, semi-protected crops, and a small-scale agroecological production facility. This holistic approach not only ensures the production of chemical-free food, but also shortens the distance between the field and the table.
Germevit: The scientific Heart of the Patio
Any plant germinates well in La Rosita's backyard despite its proximity to the coast and the effects of salinity. This is due to the use of a homemade microbial inoculant (biopesticide), registered in 2022 as Germevit with the Industrial Property Office.
Germevit was conceived in 2013 from a lactic acid bacterium obtained from rice bran yogurt and worm castings, its name combines "germination" and "life," and also includes the initials of his two children, Germán and Evita. Its benefits have extended beyond the backyard, healing the mythical waterhole tree in La Demajagua Park-Museum, a symbol of Granma province, and crocodiles at the local breeding center.
Josué details the scientific scope of his creation, which was recognized this year with the Provincial Innovation Award: "We have developed two fundamental products: Germevit-bio. A foliar bio-stimulant that improves the physical, chemical and microbiological conditions of soils, with national and international recognition. And, Germevit-Additive, a probiotic that ensures a balanced gut microbiota and gastrointestinal health, preventing digestive disorders and improving animal vitality.”
As an added benefit, regular application of Germevit-Additive reduces the generation of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in excrement, neutralizing unpleasant odors and preventing fly infestations in the facilities. Today, La Rosita produces and markets products derived from the processing of organic waste in eastern Cuban provinces. To date, they produce eight variations of Germevit, with different dosages and functions, as an organic biostimulant in agriculture and a nutritional additive in livestock farming.
Science is evident in every detail. They use the black soldier fly, a dipteran with high protein content, for animal feed, reducing dependence on external inputs such as corn or soy. Currently, María Rosa is developing her Master's thesis on the impact of Germevit on free-range chicken production, seeking to optimize weight gain, boost the immune system, and combat anorexia. Furthermore, they have created a product in the registration phase from the stink bug to combat pests and diseases, reaffirming their commitment to constant research.
A Circular-Economy Model
Sustainability is a fundamental pillar at La Rosita. A biodigester, fed with pig manure and treated with Germevit, produces methane gas for cooking.
This cycle is completed with worm castings, which process organic waste and generate leachate, considered the best fertilizer.
"This product, along with Germevit, is already being sold and has been used by more than a thousand rice farmers in the region, achieving yields of up to 5 tons per hectare," emphasizes Josué, who above all defends his identity as a farmer.
To Transcend
The influence of this backyard extends far beyond its physical boundaries. María Rosa and Josué have established interest groups with elementary, middle, and high schools where children learn to plant and care for the land, taking these lessons home with them. These teachings are replicated in some 3,000 backyards in Manzanillo.
Students from the Camilo Cienfuegos Military School and the University, along with entire families and farmers, come seeking their expertise.
Their produce not only feeds their family but also benefits maternity homes, children's homes, and people in vulnerable situations, demonstrating a deep social commitment.
Awards and Legacy
The merits of this project are widely recognized. A pioneer in receiving the Fifth National Excellence Award and a National Reference Project, La Rosita boasts a 17-year history. It has been awarded the Neighborhood Prize, the Provincial Environmental Award in 2026, and has received support from institutions such as the European Union's Living Earth project.
For Josué, the success lies in the synthesis of knowledge: "Cuban farmers create science every day with their knowledge. It's knowledge that cannot be undervalued."
Rosita, as María Rosa is commonly known, despite her multiple health conditions, embodies the spirit of the schoolyard with her characteristic energy: "I have a strong will to work. I feel young and proud of what we have achieved. The schoolyard was built as my parents dreamed, it overflowed into the community and became a school, so I haven't stopped being a teacher, nor will I ever."
La Rosita is much more than an urban garden or a small-scale agroecological production facility. It's a living laboratory, a school of values, and irrefutable proof that, as María Rosa states, "having a backyard means we have true food sovereignty." Its legacy paves the way toward a more sustainable future, where science and tradition go hand in hand to nourish bodies and souls.
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