Cuban scientists said this week that they expected the planting of 124 acres to be approved, which would provide enough seed to expand to 14,830 acres next year, according to Reuters.

Cuba imports around 60 percent of its food, which includes large amounts of soy, wheat and corn, and the US is its largest food supplier.

Three hurricanes tore into Cuba's harvests this year destroying 30 percent of the country's crops.

Cuban President Raul Castro has described agricultural output a matter of "national security".