Producer Profiles

CESMACH - Campesinos Ecológicos de la Sierra Madre Chiapas

Campesinos Ecológicos de la Sierra Madre de Chiapas (CESMACH) is a coffee cooperative located in the southern highlands of Chiapas within the buffer zone of the El Triunfo Biosphere. El Triunfo is an area of great ecological importance because it contains two of the most complex and beautiful ecosystems in the world: the cloud forest and the tropical rain forest. El Triunfo’s unique ecosystems are home to an incredible variety of plant and animal species considered rare or in danger of extinction.

CESMACH members are deeply committed to practicing sustainable agriculture to protect the biosphere and the natural resources within its boundaries. The organization became Fair Trade certified for coffee in 2001 and in 2003, they were awarded the Ecological Merit Award by the Mexican government for its efforts to protect endangered plant species. The co-op is working towards 100 percent organic methods.

CESMACH's members have been able to pay off their debts and make necessary improvements to their homes, thanks to the higher price they receive for the coffee from Fair Trade sales. They now offer full pre-harvest financing for its members assuring farmers with the resources to produce high quality coffee.
 

Quotable

“

The most important part about Fair Trade is the help it gives to small producers like us, and we are also aware that we need to fulfill certain requirements. With Fair Trade sales we have been able to improve our roads for the transporting of our products, and now it is also much cheaper to get to the city.  ”

Ciro Quezada Azanero, CESMACH Member
“

Thankfully we are organized, producing organic and Fair Trade coffee, and managing to obtain a high quality product with which we can better attend to our greatest necessities.  ”

Ataulfo Moreno, CESMACH Member
“

Fair Trade has helped us progress little by little. It has improved the conditions of my family life.  ”

Raul Gutierrez, CESMACH Member

Programs

School Supplies for Children

CESMACH has established a fund to provide school supplies to members' children.

Training Sessions for Women

CESMACH has a women's program that trains eight groups of women how to raise poultry and cultivate organic gardens.

Women's Cervical Cancer Testing

The cooperative is working with Grounds for Health to increase campaigns encouraging women to test for cervical cancer. During just two campaings, an estimated 500 women were tested for cervical cancer.