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Since 2009 the International Project BIOMAS-CUBA is being executed. This is focused on biomass use as renewable energy source, on contributing to improve living conditions and attaining the coexistence between mitigation and adaptation to climate change, feeding security and energetic sustainability in rural areas. BIOMAS-CUBA covers the production and utilization of biodiesel and biogas, biomass gasification and the production of bioproducts. The project is directed at the integrated production of foods and energy in the context of agroenergetic farms of agro-ecological basis, with the purpose of participating in local development. It promotes a local agricultural innovation model, with large involvement of producers and impact studies. Its phase 1 was executed in 87 scenarios of five Cuban provinces making possible the sowing of 109 ha of Jatropha curcas L. associated to cultures, the installation of a plant of biodiesel production (105 600 liters/year) and two biomass gasifiers for generating electricity, the construction of 69 biodigestors and the installation of 52 plants for the production of the IHplus bioproduct of wide spectrum of agricultural use -in nine provinces-, with 3.4 benefit/cost, included the investment. If phase 1 was centered on the promotion of agroenergetic farms, the II (2012-2015) is directed at the formulation and implementation of local strategies of integrated production of foods and energy in six municipalities, accompanying the governments and other actors, as well as to attain greater incidence in national, regional and local policies, associated with food security, renewable energies and environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A critical theoretical and practical analysis of the concepts of innovation, extension work, and transfer of technology is performed. According to them and their methodological basis and limitations, some alternatives of the linear model of technology transfer are provided. An alternative proposal of innovation is discussed, in which the development of effective alliances and the understanding and synthesis of shared insights are key to face challenges and problems of the environment, more complex and changing every time. Finally, some emerging ideas are provided about a new methodological proposal to manage processes of innovation at local level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reflections are given on the performance of technology transfer, innovation, and knowledge in Cuba and worldwide, being related to the cattle sector. Besides, insights are provided on the aspects affecting the efficient introduction of technologies in the sector. Likewise, information is shown about the course of the extension work of the Institute of Animal Science during its 41 years of existence, noting the creation of its system of knowledge spread to commercial cattle rearing, as well as the critical points to be re-assessed and improved. In this regard, it is necessary to gain conscience on the main drawbacks and negative aspects to surpass the elements affecting the technology transfer. Besides, it is required to define the economic, technical and social policy joining the key actors in its implementation and establishing particular strategies for the cattle sector, based on the constant interaction of knowledge and enterprise management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, there is a description and reflection of the present situation of the technology transfer in the cattle rearing sector in Latin America and its evolution in Cuba. There is information on this subject in several countries of the region and the main deficiencies and achievements affecting the most quickly introduction of the scientific results into the commercial production conditions. Also, the experience of the Institute of Animal Science to strengthen the technology transfer system to the Cuban cattle sector is analyzed. In order to overcome the multiple difficulties limiting technology transfer in all these years to the cattle rearing sector in Latin America, it is necessary to be conscious of the main factors and negative elements affecting it and to define the economic, technical and social policy that gathers the participating elements involved in its application and defines the particular strategies of the constant interaction of knowledge management and the enterprises. In Cuba, there are advantages that allow the application of technology such as the definition of the national structure for the introduction of results, specialists with scientific level and knowledge for the application of technology transfer, the educational system for the formation of specialists and the training to the primary producer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]