Interview with our organic inspectors
An important factor in the organic certification of primary products is an effective internal control system. Our subsidiary YACAO and the smallholder cooperative FUNDOPO employ 10 agronomist-technicians who have responsibility for the approximately 2,400 producers in the Dominican Republic. The technicians visit the plantations, walk through them with the producers and make sure that no chemical fertilisers or pesticides are being used.
After the tour, they talk over various questions about the different certifications (organic and Fairtrade) with the producers. All responses are recorded on tablets and checked for completeness in the office in Santo Domingo the next day. The work of our agronomist-technicians plays an essential part in ensuring that our cocoa is organic and Fairtrade compliant.
Katherine Blanco Ogando, Head of Certifications at YACAO SRL, spoke with two internal control system inspectors.
Ana Digna Rodríguez Familia is 19 years old and has completed technical training in agricultural production. Before joining YACAO, Ana already worked as an inspector in another cocoa company in El Seibo province.
Ana told us: I enjoy interacting with the producers, not only learning from them, but also sharing my own knowledge. One reason why I applied to YACAO was because of the better job opportunities. I was also interested in developing as a person, financing my studies and supporting my family. Until recently, I worked with 100 producers in three different groups in the Yamasá region. Now, I have been charged with the supervision of the next group of 80 producers and asked to carry out an internal inspection in the Villa Altagracia region. An inspection involves me visiting the farms and making sure that the regulations of the different organic and Fairtrade standards are being respected. Another part of my work is to find out what the needs of the producers are, so that FUNDOPO can contribute as much as possible to the improvement and growth of the producers.
Patricia Antonia Díaz Colon is also 19 years old. She is a trained technician and is currently studying engineering in agronomy. This is Patricia's first job. Before this, she concentrated exclusively on her studies. She wanted to find a job so as to be able to support herself, pay for higher education and support her family.
Patricia told us: I enjoy being in contact with the producers. I learn from them, for one thing, and for another, I think they learn from me too. I am able to gain new experiences and enjoy the natural world, which is a unique feeling, quite without parallel. What motivated me about the job at YACAO was my desire to move forward, to become independent as a person and to work in a field that I like. At the moment, I am working with 91 producers in the Yamasá region. I visit the farms and make sure that the producers comply with all the regulations. We register the coordinates and fill out the forms and documents according to the internal control system regulations.