Cocoa Genetics
There is an urgent demand for robust and cost-effective solutions to reduce bean cadmium content via changes in production systems, such as the use of low cadmium accumulating cultivars or rootstock.
Clima-LoCa evaluates in the field, commercial clones for their ability to accumulate cadmium in the beans. These commercial clones, as well as promising clones, are under validation for future release to farmers.
Also, Heavy metals influence water delivery to the shoot of plants, which can lead to decrease cocoa production and this effect may become more prominent under climate change. Therefore, it’s necessary to obtain scientist information to analyze the vulnerability of the cacao plant to cadmium with respect to water deficit.
Is important to determine the viability of the propagation of promising genotypes under the conditions of the farmer fields, involving the participation of the farmer associations of each country.
For this reason, the genetic component focuses on:
Act 1.2
Survey and assessment of commercial clones for level of cadmium in cocoa beans
Act 2.2
Identify and test promising cocoa genotypes for low cadmium accumulation and drought tolerance and study underlying interactions, mechanisms
Act 3.2
Pilot budding techniques to reduce cadmium accumulation in cocoa beans on smallholder farms
News
Workshop on Genetic Knowledge of Cocoa Clones
Within the framework of the Clima-LoCa and Rutas PDET projects, a workshop on genetic knowledge of cocoa clones was held on June 18 of 2024, with ten cocoa producers from different municipalities in the department of Putumayo. This meeting was held at the "El Bufeo"...
The Alliance Bioversity International & CIAT and the European Union, through the Clima-LoCa project, promote sustainable innovation in cocoa together with Norandino.
On October 15, 2025, XRF analysis equipment for measuring cadmium levels in cocoa was formally handed over to the Norandino Agricultural Cooperative in Piura. This event, which is of great importance for sustainability in the country's cocoa production chain, is a...
Workshops to present findings in Santander strengthened knowledge and management of cadmium in cocoa
The workshops to present the results of the Clima-LoCa project were successfully held in the department of Santander, Colombia, consolidating a space for the exchange of key information for cocoa producers in the region. The first workshop took place on August 20 in...
The Chokao 2025 Fair in Samborondón brought together Latin American cacao leaders in a major meeting of innovation and science
The Chokao 2025 Fair was inaugurated with great enthusiasm in Samborondón, Ecuador, an emblematic event that brought together producers, entrepreneurs, and academics from the Ecuadorian and Latin American cocoa sector. Organized by the National Association of Cocoa...