Cocoa Research
The major goal of World Cocoa Foundation-sponsored research has historically been to ensure an adequate supply of high quality cocoa for chocolate manufacturers and for public consumption.
Currently, WCF sponsors cacao research in a number of growing countries including Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Brazil, Costa Rica, Panama, Trinidad, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
Over the years, WCF has met and exceeded its goals in a number of ways. Research projects were selected that enabled WCF to develop detailed criteria for future support. Much work and research have gone into disease and pest control, including studies on diseases called Frosty Pod, Black Pod, Witches’ Broom, Cushion Gall, Ceratocystis Wilt, Costa Rican Leaf Disorder, and on disease biocontrol. Studies on pest control include Cocoa Pod Borer, pesticide surveys, systemic insecticides and integrated pest-management programs.
Additionally, a vast body of work has been performed to improve the cacao product, including plant breeding, germplasm collection, pollination through insects, cacao pollen preservation, rapid propagation research, plant nutrition, development of improved cacao seed, cocoa bean research, product safety and flavor research.
An international register of cacao cultivars was established to develop criteria for describing and differentiating cacao cultivars and breeding types, to describe those of actual or potential importance in the cacao-growing areas of the world, to assemble available horticultural and agronomic data on each cultivar, and to summarize and distribute this information for the guidance of cacao workers.