Yeni Navan, Michiza

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Fast Facts on Coop Yeni Navan, MICHIZA
946 members, of which 266 are women
Founded in 1985
First international exports in 1989
Present in 43 community
Coffee is Organic Certified by NATURLAND, Germany
The english translation of Yeni Navan  "Permanent Sunrise"

Yeni Navan started as a small organization regrouping organic coffee producers from various ethnic groups. Their name, Michiza, is an abbreviation of these five groups:  Mixtecos, Chinantecos, Chatinos, Cuicatecos and Zapotecos. The farmers hoped that through the organization they would be able to stop the local intermediaries from manipulating the local price of coffee and exploiting them in the process.

Initially, they sold their coffee only on the local market. In 1989, the organization obtained legal status under the name Yeni Navan, and they had the authorization to export. By 1991, they were capable of exporting independently.

MICHIZA offers technical support to its members to improve their capacity in organic agriculture and overall coffee quality and yields. MICHIZA is also responsible for marketing and the direct export of their members` coffee. In addition, they are in a constant process of promoting women`s participation in their  decision-making, the impact of which is noted in the number of women who are members.

In their general assembly hold on the 15th of January 2008, they discuss the formation of a Women Comitee in order to develop project that would be well adapted to their needs. The cooperative hold these assembly every 2 months in their office located in the capital of the state. A delegate from each community usually assist to these reunions, even if that mean up to 6 hours of transportation.

The main objective Yeni Navan is to raise the living standard of its partners and family through a sustainable agriculture and the construction of a fairer and more equitable market. The members of the cooperative have a diversified production and also  produce oranges, corn, beans and sugar cane.

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Certifications
Michiza Certimex organic certification 2006 
Michiza Certimex organic certification 2006

Michiza Processing Plant (Galguera) IMO organic certification 2007