Bringing Fair Trade to Indigenous Farmers

Bats’il Maya is a micro-industry that was started in September 1993 in Chilo, Chiapas, Mexico. The enterprise organizes indigenous coffee producers so they are not subject to pricing abuse. In this audio interview, COO Alberto Irezabal speaks with Ashkon Jafari, Stanford Center for Social Innovation correspondent, about the social environment in Chiapas that led to the founding of the organization, and how the co-op works. He discusses the process for organic and fair trade certification, the establishment of coffee stores in Mexico City, and goals for expansion.


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One of 16 special essays on how the field of social innovation has evolved and what challenges remain ahead.
One of 16 special essays on how the field of social innovation has evolved and what challenges remain ahead.




