Question

Why have coffee farming communities in Mexico fared better than those in other Latin American countries?

They were more willing to diversify their crops.

They benefitted from subsidies from the U.S. and Canada.

They formed strong unions.

All of the above

Answer 1

Answer: They formed strong unions.

In the early 20th century, the rise of the PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party) was accompanied by the development of INMECAFE (National Coffee Institute of Mexico) in 1973. INMECAFE was formed to support coffee cultivation among small farmers.

The organization provided credit and technical assistance to farmers along with guaranteed purchases and transportation facilities to the market. It even offered support in exporting the coffee to the international market. Between 1973-1990, coffee production increased to a large extent in the rural countryside owing to the support of INMECAFE. Some of Mexico's effective social organizations prospered in Chiapas and Oaxaca where the farmers lacked municipal support and, so they were among the most marginalized in the country. Labor organizations helped promote workers’ rights, and agrarian movements helped claim land distribution. Many indigenous groups began to demand the land and resources they had occupied for centuries.