Mapa signs Memorandums of Understanding with Latin American countries to develop the cocoa production chain

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa), through the Executive Committee of the Cocoa Farming Plan (Ceplac), visited science and technology institutions in Peru and Ecuador specialized in cocoa cultivation. The objectives are to develop actions to combat and prevent the entry of the Cocoa Moniliasis disease in Brazil, through the sending of clones (cocoa genetic materials) selected within the Ceplac breeding program, as well as increasing the production and productivity of the crop in the Brazilian territory.

“We want to establish and conduct initial trials to evaluate cocoa varieties for resistance to Moniliasis and develop improved varieties resistant to the main diseases of this crop. The ultimate purpose is to reduce the risk of damage to national cocoa farming with the possible introduction of Moniliasis in the country and increase its sustainability”, highlighted the director of Ceplac, Waldeck Araujo, who represented Mapa on the trip.

To this end, Memorandums of Understanding were signed with countries where the disease occurs naturally and with high severity. In Peru, Mapa and the Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria - INIA, through Ceplac, signed on Tuesday (21/09) a memorandum that aims to promote research strategies to improve the genetic quality of cocoa in favor of producers.

The document authorizes both entities to develop studies that evaluate the quality of cocoa cultivation. Furthermore, the countries wish, through the agreement, to work strategically in border regions with the aim of mitigating the risks of the disease entering Brazil.

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In Ecuador, the partnership was signed with the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias - INIAP. The bodies will work together to evaluate the incidence of Moniliasis, Witches' Broom and Brown Rot in cocoa varieties generated by Ceplac, in order to select materials with characteristics of productivity and resistance, carry out epidemiological studies and biology and ecology of pathogens, among other objectives.

With Costa Rica, the idea is to facilitate the exchange of students and researchers to carry out research on culture, in addition to carrying out procedures necessary for the import and export of genetic material for research purposes and among other purposes. The Memorandum of Understanding will still be signed with the Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE). There is also an expectation of a signing with Mexico.

Cocoa Moniliasis 

Moniliasis is among the quarantine pests of cocoa in Brazil, that is, it is not present in Brazilian territory. However, a focus of the disease was detected in Acre, in an urban area and is in the containment phase by the competent bodies. The disease occurs in several cocoa-producing countries that border Brazil, so the risk of its introduction is imminent and the focus on Acre is a confirmation of this.

Moniliasis, caused by the fungus Moniliophthora roreri, is one of the most serious diseases of cocoa trees, infecting fruits at any stage of development and, under favorable conditions, can cause losses of up to 100% of production.

In 1989, Brazilian cocoa farming was almost decimated when the Witches' Broom (WB) disease entered the Bahia region, requiring years of work to develop clonal varieties resistant to the fungus that causes the pest. Cocoa Moniliasis is considered an even more devastating disease and, given the threat of entry into the country, it is necessary to have technological alternatives for control and resistant varieties are the most recommended.

In this sense, Ceplac developed genetic materials (clones) that have genes with potential resistance to Moniliasis. However, this material needs to be proven resistant in the field, that is, it needs to be tested in countries where the disease occurs.

cocoa production

Brazil currently ranks 6th in global cocoa production, according to the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO). According to the 2017 Agricultural Census, there are more than 93 thousand cocoa producing establishments in the country. They are concentrated in Bahia and Pará, which together represent 96% of national production.

By 2025, the goal is to achieve self-sufficiency in cocoa production, with 300 thousand tons per year, and reach 400 thousand tons by 2030, which will allow exports of cocoa, derivatives and chocolate to be expanded. These values ​​have the potential to elevate Brazil to third place among the largest cocoa producers in the world.

Another goal is to increase the quality of fine or special cocoa beans from 3% to 10% of the total beans produced, thus expanding the export potential of Brazilian cocoa.