Scientists have released a draft sequence of the cacao genome, in a move bound to give farmers hopes of higher yields, and consumers - of tastier chocolate. The study, funded mainly by the US chocolate producer Mars, is aimed at ensuring a sustainable cocoa supply.
IT firm IBM and the US Department of Agriculture also took part in the research. The results have been published on the Cacao Genome Database website.
According to the global head of plant science and research at the confectionery firm, Howard-Yana Shapiro, the sequence is of great importance. "This opens the door to improving the lives for 6.5 million small farmers directly, but over 40 million individuals who are involved in the cocoa industry, whether they are brokers, or traders, or manufacturers," he told BBC News.
The scientist explained that despite many people being directly or indirectly dependent on cocoa crops to survive, until now there has been little investment in research to improve the cacao tree. "As plant breeders, we're always looking after the golden traits: pest and disease resistant, drought tolerance, the ability to adapt to climate change, tree architecture, yield quality, etc," said Dr Shapiro.
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