Cuban scientist wins US award

A folk singing Cuban scientist has won a prestigious environmental prize in the United States for challenging the role of state bureaucrats in Cuban agriculture.



Humberto Rios has promoted traditional techniques of cultivation and the right of farmers to choose which seeds to plant, in a country where 80 per cent of farms are controlled by the state.



He uses songs to promote his ideas.



Cuban officials have given Mr. Rios permission to receive the prize in San Francisco.