Mexico, Edilzar Ordóñez Mazariegos

Edilzar Ordóñez Mazariegos is a coffee farmer from Amatenango de la Frontera, Chiapas, near the Guatemala border. He has worked the land for over 25 years and manages a 26-hectare farm with help from his brothers, Rony and Meynor. Their family aims to expand to 40 hectares but currently lacks enough workers to maintain their existing farm fully.

They grow over a dozen coffee varieties and focus heavily on quality. To attract and keep pickers, they’ve improved working conditions by offering better wages, weekly food support, and easier work through mechanization.

However, the region has become more dangerous in recent years due to violent clashes between rival gangs fighting for control of the border area. Some roads have been blockaded as part of these territorial disputes. Although the violence hasn’t directly impacted the Ordóñez family yet, they are taking precautions by restricting visits to the farm to ensure safety.