and society as a whole. Hence only II limited resources could be devoted to scientific programmes. Major portions of our foreign currency resources were used for creating and modernizing. acqui­ ring and adapting new technologies obtained from lntematlonal sources. The three fields that have mainly received scientific atten­ tion and dedication are health, cattle breeding and the sugar cane Industry. Cuba stands among the leaders of world research on sugar cane by-products. The purpose has been to apply these programmes to the solution of concrete problems. Cuba's scienti­ fic pol Icy Is not Intended mainly to cope with world class re­ search but rather to focus on the country's Immediate needs. we are at present penetrating new and Important fields such as computers. production of Interferon, tlssMe culture and biote­ chnology. Of Important significance has been the creation of an Institutional apparatus that would respond to these r~qulrements and facti !tate In a coherent and planned manner the formulation of the county's national scientific policy. 65 tACKGROUND OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN CUBA Organization of scient! f lc research at national level Prior to 1959, there was hardly any significant scientific research In Cuba: The research centres were then concentrated In Havana City. Isolated efforts were made by the few high-level educational Institutions existing. The National Commission of the Academy of Sciences of Cuba was established In 1962, thus Initiating the promotion and fostering of scientific activities. During the early years, Research and Development (Rand D) centres were set up and the human and material resources al locat­ ed for scelntlf lc programmes were Increased. The Council for Agricultural Research (Consejo de Investigaciones Agrlcolas) and the Council for Sugar Cane Research CConseJo de Investigaciones Azucareras were set up. In the same decade the Calculation Plan (Plan Calculo), for computing development, was also estab llshed 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the scientific research and development in Cuba, highlighting the country's focus on solving concrete problems and adapting new technologies. The text also mentions the creation of institutions and research centers, and the allocation of resources for scientific programs. Given the emphasis on scientific research and development, it is likely that the text belongs to the category of Science and Technology.

**Category**
Science and Technology