‘Campesinos Unidos de los Chenes Kabi´tah, Sociedad de Solidaridad Social’ is an agricultural cooperative located in the Mayas' communities of the Hopelchén region, Campeche, in the middle of the Yucatán peninsula, Mexico.
In 1991, the non-governmental organization "Educación, Cultura y Ecología, A.C." (Education, Culture and Agriculture, A.C.) created a new interdisciplinary group of professionals who started exploring the possibilities of setting up a society. At the same time, a groups of beekeepers tried to form a regional organization which could inform and help the producers with their main necessities, such as the reduction of the mediators in honey trade (avoiding the so-called "coyotes", who hoarded the producers' small production by paying them a small price and selling the production at a huger price afterwards). In addition, they would give technical advice, improve the production skills, the quality of the products and financial services.
The Kabi'Tah Cooperative was created after a whole year of investigation and professional formation and it holds 180 members from 15 Maya communities. Kabi'Tah is a democratic organization which includes the following parts: the assembly, formed by the representatives of the producers' groups, and which elects the board of directors that organize weekly meetings and represent the interests and necessities of all members and communities. The organization holds regular meetings to inform all the members about the work results and progress, as well as to discuss about different issues related to culture and economy. Kabi'Tah's administration, accounting, financing and cost analysis are carried out collectively.
The cooperative pays the producers at a price hold between a 5 and a 15% above the normal price in the region. At the end of the harvest season, from January to April, the profit is distributed among the members in an equitable way, taking into account the quantity and quality of the honey of each producer, as well as the producer's participation in assamblies and other community activities, assuring a fair price to all producers.
The most important contribution for the development of the region is the creation of a democratic space where the farmers are able to decide about the community development in an autonomous way. Most part of the members of Kabi'Tah have improved their lifestyle conditions and hold now: better housing, access to dinkable water, better nutrition, health and education. Thanks to the commercialization of the honey in the Fair Trade market, more than two thousand people are able to live on their lands, to organize themselves and to be financially self-sufficient, always respecting the native culture.
Products: Honey (honey biscuitsl, honey candies, …)