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Oaxaca, Mexico Trip Report

March 27, 2010

Oaxaca, Mexico Trip Report
March 2010

    Ken Kierstead and I first visited Oaxaca late in 2008. Our contact, Gildo, is the current president of Coop Yeni Navan MICHIZA. This coop represents 47 communities throughout the state of Oaxaca. Gildo is also the president of a coop inside the larger coop called COMUNIDADES UNIDAS DE YUCUHITI SC de RL de CV representing six communities; San Jose Zaragoza, Guadalupe Miramar, Reyes Llano Grande, Guadalupe Buena Vista, San Pedro Yosotatu, and Santiago Nuyoo. After our first visit, Gildo presented us with three community based projects; a land renovation project supporting all six communities, a coffee roasting project for the community of Buena Vista, and two vegetable greenhouses for the communities of Buena Vista and Miramar.

      It was a true joy to see the progress of these projects. Although the progress is great, there are several challenges that need to be addressed in order for success to be seen in these projects and real transformation of these communities to take place. I will address each project in detail in the following paragraphs.

        LAND RENOVATION
        A large mesh greenhouse was constructed and it is filled with thousands of coffee plants. Roughly two-thirds of the coffee was planted using rich organic compost. They ran out of resources to obtain the compost for the remaining third and it shows in the growth of the plants. Also, the mesh used for the top needs to be a tighter weave. The area has been experiencing hail/freezing rain which damaged some of the crop. A tighter weave would prevent the hail from coming through the greenhouse.

          The second challenge is the need for agricultural training including greenhouse training. To maximize the potential of the land renovation project, the farmers need technical help from agricultural coffee specialist. This training would need to start with caring and nurturing coffee plants in the greenhouse and continue through planting, maintaining, and harvesting the plants to maximize quality and yield.

            The final challenge with the land renovation project is the location of the six communities in relation to the coffee greenhouse. The distance is not great, within an hour and half one can travel to all communities. The problem is that vehicles are rare among the farmers and walking the distance with hundreds of coffee plants is nearly impossible. A delivery system needs to be created and possibly smaller greenhouses in each community for distribution to the farmers of each community.

              Maximizing quality and yield of coffee within a community as a means to propel the community towards a greater level of self-sufficiency is at the center of Pura Vida’s mission. The challenges in these six Oaxacan coffee growing communities are not new, similar challenges are found in Guatemala, Nicaragua, Peru, and most likely the majority of coffee growing countries. The major overarching issue is that these farmers are located in very rural areas, they typically do not have enough land to grow a crop that can produce a livable income, and they traditionally do not treat their coffee like a business but rather a way of life.

                COFFEE ROASTING PROJECT IN BUENA VISTA
                The coffee farmers of Buena Vista drafted a proposal to launch a coffee roasting micro business. The goal proposed was to diversify the income stream of the coffee farmers and educate the farmers on the flavors of coffee so that they better understand what they are selling. In simple terms, the idea is to take a portion (probably 1/4) of the coffee crop, roast it, grind it, and sell it in local markets including Oaxaca City.
                The challenge is training. Cupping, roasting, grinding, and packaging training is needed to insure success of this project.

                  VEGETABLE GREENHOUSES
                  During our first visit back in Fall of 2008, diversification of diet was of high importance, especially among the women. Two greenhouses were proposed which we funded. These greenhouses are in the communities of Buena Vista and Miramar. The proposed goal of these houses was to improve the diet of the community by growing a variety of vegetables. The challenge again is training. The individuals responsible for greenhouses need greenhouse agricultural training to make this project thrive. Key issues include; how to keep pest out, what will grow best and worst, and what time of year to plant what?