Several of Xoco's many outgrower partners are featured below. Just as Xoco is committed to making a positive difference in rural cocoa growing communities through its CSR program, Xoco makes a commitment to each of its outgrower partners to provide advanced technical assistance.

Don Lino Arita, Copan, Honduras Don Lino is a 64 year-old small scale farmer from the Copan region of Honduras. He has grown traditional crops most of his life: rice, beans, pineapple and yucca. His kids are now grown up, but he still partly supports them, despite the fact that his income is only $1,000 per year. In 2008, he planted 1.5 hectares of fine cocoa mixed with banana for temporary shade. Because of his dedication, his cocoa trees are now starting to produce just 20 months after they were planted. In the next harvest, Don Lino expects to sell $300 of fine cocoa to Xoco. At peak production his fine cocoa will bring an extra income of $4,500 a year which will propel him and his wife out of poverty. This extra income will allow him to finance his youngest children going to private university in Honduras. He will also be able to improve his house by installing plumbing and a gas stove. He may even be able to acquire a vehicle and set money aside for health care and other expenses.

"Xoco was not a bad investment," Don Lino says smiling as he shows us his first fruits.

"I am very content with Xoco’s long-term commitment to its producers. That was my primary motivating factor," Benicio explains.

Benicio Gabino Vallejos, Jinotega, Nicaragua Ever since Benicio inherited his 8 hectare farm from his father, he has worked tirelessly to improve its productivity. Nevertheless, he struggles to make ends meet for his family, which consists of his wife and three daughters, ages 4, 8, and 14. Moreover, Benicio and his wife are dedicated to the development of their community. Because of a recent failure in the school transport system, they have lent a room in their house to serve as a kindergarten classroom for their neighbors. Benicio decided to partner with Xoco because he wants to, in his words, “guarantee a source of income for his children.” On 2 hectares of destitute cattle pasture, young fine cocoa trees are springing to life. Benicio explains that in addition to providing excellent income, the cocoa trees will fix the nitrogen in his soil, increasing productivity in his other crops as well.

Teodula Amparo Peralta, Valle de Pantasma, Nicaragua Teodula’s farm sits on the most fertile side of the Pantasma Valley, roughly one hour north of the regional capital of Jinotega, Nicaragua. She lives with her 21 year-old daughter and 5 year-old grandson. In recent years, Teodula has supported her family by producing coffee and corn. Her farm also produces very small quantities of mango, banana, guava and coconut. She has been looking for an opportunity to increase her income. After exploring a number of options, she decided to grow 2 hectares of fine cocoa with Xoco. Teodula is a member of the local growers’ cooperative, which collaborates with Xoco in executing its technical assistance program.

"I believe that Xoco offers something new and important to Pantasma Valley," Teodula declares.