Categories

Chiapas and Tabasco

Regional initiatives implemented

  • Creating a more inclusive cocoa and coffee sector through capacity building and economic opportunities for youth (Nestlé Project).
  • Improving rural livelihoods and resilience to natural disasters through sustainable coffee farming in the Tacaná Biosphere Reserve region (Fundación Gigante Project).
  • Women’s Economic Empowerment in Mesoamerica Initiative (WEE Project).
  • Supporting the implementation of more sustainable practices in coffee-producing communities in Chiapas, Mexico (OXO Project).
  • Support for climate adaptation efforts aimed at addressing the environmental drivers of migration in rural communities reliant on agriculture and natural resources in southeastern Mexico (IOM Project).
  • Worker-led approaches in human rights due diligence for agricultural sustainability systems (ISEAL-Quizrr Project).

Participants in the Initiative

  • High School of Innovation, Science, Arts, Humanities and Science of Chiapas (ICAHCH)
  • Rayen Sustainable Cacao
  • Center for Technological Studies in Inland Waters (CETAC 22)
  • State Plant Health Committee of Chiapas (CESAVE)
  • Gigante-Toks Restaurant Group
  • National Institute for Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock Research (INIFAP)
  • Coffee Institute of Chiapas (INCAFECH)
  • La Campesina del Cacao
  • Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC)
  • Olam Food Ingredients (ofi)
  • Oro Verde Producers Organization of the Frailesca Region
  • Organic Producers of Tacaná
  • Quizrr
  • Tacaná Volcano Biosphere Reserve – National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP)
  • Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development – Production for Wellbeing Program
  • Siembra Abundante – Highlands Region of Chiapas
  • University of Sciences and Arts of Chiapas (UNICACH – School of Food Technology and Nutrition)
  • Ejidos Producing Coffee and Cacao
  • International Organization for Migration (IOM)
  • Autonomous University of Chiapas (UNACH)
  • Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (SAGyP)

Purpose of the initiatives

Nestlé Project: Strengthen the technical skills of young women and men in cocoa and coffee-producing communities and organizations in Chiapas and Tabasco to form community-based teams that provide technical assistance for more sustainable coffee and cocoa production.

Fundación Gigante Project: Advance sustainable coffee and cacao production while reducing communities’ vulnerability to natural disasters by restoring ecosystems and building the resilience of coffee plantations and the surrounding landscapes.

WEE Project: Enhance women’s social, political, and financial conditions by strengthening their participation in production and the sustainable management and of natural resources.

Oxo Project: Strengthen the resilience of coffee-growing landscapes by implementing more sustainable regenerative agriculture practices.

IOM Project: Support the adoption of climate-resilient agricultural practices in developing communities in southeastern Mexico to enhance climate adaptation, mitigate environmental causes of migration, and promote safe migration options for environmental migrants.

ISEAL-Quizrr Project: Develop and pilot training modules for workers and managers on farms certified by Rainforest Alliance.

Implementation period

  1. Nestlé Project: June 2023 – April 2025
  2. Fundación Gigante Project: July 2021 – June 2025
  3. WEE Project: July 2020 – July 2025
  4. OXO Project: May 2024 – April 2025
  5. IOM Project: August 2024 – December 2026
  6. ISEAL – Quizrr Project: January 2024 – September 2025

Type of activity / productive activity

  • Ecosystem restoration
  • Ecosystem rehabilitation
  • Prevention of land-use change and ecosystem degradation
  • Improved land management
  • Coffee/cacao production
  • Herbal medicine
  • Community tourism
  • Handicrafts
  • Textiles
  • Honey production
  • Laying hens
  • Vegetable crops

Geographical location

Chiapas

  • Cacahoatán
  • Oxchuc
  • Pichucalco
  • Tapachula
  • Tapachula
  • Unión Juárez
  • Villa Corzo
  • Villaflores

 

Tabasco

  • Comalcalco (Comalcalco)
  • Tacotalpa (Community of Oxolotán)

Value Propositions

  • Community economic development (increase in production yields and reduction of production costs)
  • Increase in income through the sale of surplus products
  • Poverty reduction
  • Increase in food security
  • Reduction of land-use change
  • Restoration/conservation of ecosystems
  • Healthy/diverse ecosystems
  • Opening employment opportunities for young people and women in the coffee and cocoa industries
  • Women’s empowerment
  • Reduction of youth migration and retention of human capital
  • Integration of young people and women into coffee and cocoa value chains (formation of local coordinators)
  • Standardization of processes and homogenization/improvement of product quality
  • Preservation of traditional knowledge
  • Product diversification
  • Higher product quality
  • Climate change adaptation
  • Implementation of best production practices (through field schools and demonstration plots)
  • Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions

National-level results

Nestlé Project

  • Engagement with Nestlé’s agronomy team to present the project. The coordination meetings helped identify the scope of the training activities with producer communities.
  • Identification of local partners who will support the implementation of ECAs (Escuelas de Campo para Agricultores, or Farmer Field Schools) in the Soconusco and Frailesca regions.
  • Coordination with the Rainforest Alliance Mexico team responsible for the “Our Forest, Our Future” project to incorporate their experience working with young people.
  • Coordination meeting with producers in the municipality of Juárez, Chiapas, to confirm their interest in establishing a Farmer Field School, along with a site visit to verify eligibility for implementation.

 

Fundación Gigante

  • 150 producers implementing best practices for the production of coffee and cocoa.
  • 3 community cooperatives with new markets for commercialization identified.
  • 20 women trained in vegetable production.
  • Restoration of 10 hectares within the influence and buffer zones of the Tacaná Volcano Biosphere Reserve.

 

WEE Project

  • Strengthening of technical skills, leadership abilities, self-esteem, and women’s rights among 13 groups in Chiapas.

 

Oxo Project

  • Design and publication of the project’s factsheet.
  • Beginning of implementation with partner ofi.
  • Project socialization in the locality of Tiaquil, Municipality of Oxchuc.
  • Project launch meeting with community members from La Ramona and Nuevo Mitontic, in the municipality of Villa Corzo.

 

OIM Project

  • Launched in September 2024.

 

ISEAL-Quizrr Project

  • Collection of information from agricultural workers and managers to establish priority training topics.
  • Development of scripts for training videos.
  • Filming of training videos.

Impact areas

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National intervention area

  • DGM Mexico: 120,792 ha
  • LandScale: 196,000 ha

Ecosystem type

  • Temperate forest
  • Tropical rainforest
  • Cloud forest

Land tenure

  • Communal
  • Ejido (communal land under Mexican agrarian law)
  • Private

Women's benefit programs

  • Income and assets: X
  • Education and knowledge: X
  • Leadership: X

Climate adaptation, resilience, and transition

Our projects contribute to strengthening the climate resilience of communities by promoting their adaptation to climate change through sustainable practices and productive transitions.

Biodiversity

In this region, we support the protection and restoration of local biodiversity, ensuring the preservation of ecosystems essential to both human and environmental well-being.

Local communities

We foster the development of local communities by improving their livelihoods, encouraging their participation, and strengthening their adaptive capacity.

Ecosystem regeneration

Our projects aim to safeguard the integrity of natural resources through ecosystem services regeneration schemes.

Indigenous peoples' rights

We promote the recognition of Indigenous peoples' rights, acknowledging their vital role in the conservation of natural resources.

Land and resource rights

Our projects recognize the communities’ secure, equitable, and legal access to their land and natural resources.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction

We implement methodologies that sequester, mitigate, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through climate-smart agricultural practices.

Social and economic inclusion

We promote the economic inclusion of smallholder producers by facilitating their access to differentiated and specialized markets.

Advancing living wages and sustainable incomes

We advocate for fair incomes and wages for producers and workers, improving their living conditions.

Non-discrimination and equal opportunity

In this region, our projects contribute to equal opportunities by promoting inclusive, non-discriminatory work environments.

Best employment practices

Our projects promote fair and dignified working conditions, ensuring respect for labor rights.

Soil health

We support productive practices that contribute to the regeneration, restoration, and protection of soil health, ensuring its productive capacity for future generations.

Occupational health and safety

Our projects seek to ensure safe and healthy work environments, protecting workers’ health.

Food security

We promote sustainable production systems aligned with our regenerative agriculture strategy.

Forced or compulsory labor

We implement international guidelines and the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture certification standards to promote ethical and responsible labor practices.

Elimination of forced or child labor

We work toward the eradication of child labor, prioritizing the respect and protection of children's rights.

Supply chain traceability

Our projects enhance supply chain traceability, ensuring transparency and sustainability throughout the entire production chain.

Pesticide use reduction

Our projects contribute to reducing pesticide use by promoting sustainable alternatives and minimizing impacts on health and the environment.

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