Yacao, in the Dominican Republic, was founded in 1999 in Yamas region to promote organic cocoa growing and to generate basic income for farmers. Yacao is now established as a reliable local enterprise and exporter with social responsibility. Grown from 84 families in 2004 to more than 1300 affiliated families in 2008. Nowadays more that 10 farmer associations have been set up, and 4 processing centres have been established to enhance service quality to farmers and buyers. Today the organisation employs 30 permanent and up to 60 seasonal workers.