Sustainable Development Success Stories
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CSD-8: Sustainable Development Success Stories |
| Location | State of Oaxaca, Mexico. |
| Responsible Organisation |
UCIRI, UPZMI, (transportation bus lines and cargo); SALUD, (health care doctors, dentist, community health promoters, production of medicines of organic herbs origin); EXPORT (coffee and textiles); Xiiña Guidxi (Trabajo del Pueblo SC de RL). |
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Description |
The region is producing coffee for more then 120 years. All are small Indian farmers of Zapotec, Mixe, Chontal and Chatino origin. The project started in 1983 with 17 communities, based on the problem of intermediaries in marketing of coffee in the region. Farmers wanted to become independent from this detrimental situation (low prices and bad treatment). Main goal was to export directly the coffee produced in the communities. In 1984 the farmers took the decision to go organic. The first international inspection took place in 1985. The inspection takes place twice a year by a national inspection body (CERTIMEX) and for the time being is certified by IMO Control (Switzerland). UCIRI is member of IFOAM. In 1986 UCIRI realized the first export of organic coffee through the Alternative Traders (GEPA, Germany and Levelt, Holland). In 1988 UCIRI established a new type of market in Holland (Max Havelaar, a seal of guarantee, certified by an independent inspection body) together with a Latin American NGO called Solidaridad, working in several European countries, Canada, USA and Japan. More then 250 organizations of small farmers are now involved in this market worldwide. UCIRI worked only with credits of Banks and lately with government loans; the organization created its own capital of US$ 450,000, which is used yearly for collecting the coffee. |
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Issues Addressed |
Organic agriculture, fertility of soil, water management, sustainable forestry, training and education of young people. |
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Results Achieved |
3,500 families triplicate their income (from an yearly income of US$ 280 in 1983 to US$ 860 in 1999), which is more or less steady since 1992. Higher yield of coffee, corn and bean production by means of organic management. Better access to different markets and regulation of coffee prices in the region. Health care, transportation of people and goods handled by the organization. Introduction of cooperative stores in the communities, betterment of housing (stoves, proper roofs and toilets) and hygiene facilities. Multiplication of the development model to many organizations in the states of Oaxaca, Chiapas, Guerrero and Puebla. A credit union of the farmers made up out of received credits of the government for small scale credits above all for women with a UCIRI exports 900,000 kg of green coffee beans, 30,000 kg instant coffee and sells 18,000 kg of roasted beans in the national markets. |
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Lessons Learned |
Organization skills of the union by means of democratic ways (preserving the Indian cultural elements) and maintaining the operation in the hands of the farmers themselves. Differentiation of production, shifting form traditional crops such as coffee, corn and beans, to production of fruits for marmalades; construction of a environmentally sound clothing factory (employing 120 young people, and generating extra family income) with our own marketing and market. The Training school is essential for further development in the region. By now 320 young people received a 12-month intensive training in this boarding school, funded by the Union itself. Youth from other Mexican States and Central American countries are trained there. 1,200 women organised in 60 working groups; and 850 young people in charge of experimental land use, cultural expression and sports. Not having accepted donations, only credits resulted. |
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Contacts |
Enan Eduardo Lopez Garcia Postbox 60 70110 Cd. Ixtepec. Oaxaca, Mexico Tel. (+971) 31365; Fax (+971) 30426 Email: uciri@oax1.telmex.net.mx |