Hmmm... looking south for models of change;
{cynical}
According to the C.I.A. Factbook Cuba consumes about 6.5 barrels of Oil per person per year. Very low compared to say my country, Canada, which consumes more than 25 barrels/person/yr.

On the other hand the British Virgin Islands is close to Cuba in its oil consumption, at 7.6 bbls/per./yr. (I choose this example because they are both Carribian island nations)

The normalized purchasing power of the average Cuban is $3,900 per year

For the average Virgin Islander it's $38,500 per year.

For the average Canadian $35,200

My guess is that The Powers That Be would rather see their children grow up to be merchant bankers rather than organic farmers, but that's just a guess...
{/cynical}