Modern Cocoa
Working toward a more modern cocoa ecosystem.1
More resilient cocoa through science
A more modern cocoa ecosystem can be driven by advances in science and technology leading to innovation and the potential for the cocoa industry to become more professionalized and productive. We’re helping by:
- Supporting innovation that can be used to help build more productive, resilient farms with potential for growth at scale
- Investing in cutting-edge research to help accelerate industry change
- Piloting new programs and partnering to learn what works—and what doesn’t
- Finding new ways to collaborate and help develop a more successful, professionalized cocoa industry
Progress toward modern cocoa
We are learning new ways to innovate in more productive cocoa farming. We’ve helped make progress in developing climate-resilient2 practices with research and pilot programs aimed at helping cocoa grow.
Breeding more resilient cocoa
We’re creating better planting materials and farming practices to improve cocoa productivity.
Managing pests and diseases
We’re creating tools and techniques to help prevent, mitigate and detect cocoa pests and diseases.
Developing technology
We’re developing digital and imaging tools with the potential to improve productivity, processing and bean quality.
Scientific efforts around the world
For decades, we've invested in cocoa science and conducted research at our cocoa research centers, demonstration farms, and in pilot programs around the world.
Cocoa plant science
At our plant science center in Davis, Mars scientists and collaborators are conducting research to future-proof the fragile cocoa plant and improve plant health. By developing solutions for conservation, characterization and accelerated breeding, we are working towards bringing more resilient cocoa to cocoa-growing communities.
Cocoa research stations
Our two research stations in Sulawesi focus on improving the quality and productivity of cocoa in Indonesia through breeding of superior clones, integrated pest management, soil management and diversified farming systems. In 2024, we also opened the Cocoa Advanced Research Laboratory (CARL). This state-of-the-art lab aims to help accelerate innovation to increase cocoa productivity in Indonesia.
Virus detection in West Africa
In West Africa, we are partnering with SwissDeCode, suppliers, NGOs, and government bodies to deploy a Rapid Detection Kit(Opens a new window) for Cocoa Swollen Shoot Disease (CSSD), a virus that can devastate cocoa trees. The kit can identify CSSD in asymptomatic cocoa plants within 60 minutes, helping farmers mitigate the spread and protect yield.
Mars Center for Cocoa Science
The Mars Center for Cocoa Science (MCCS) in Brazil was opened in 1982. It now conducts work on cocoa breeding, disease analytics, plant nursery practices, agroforestry systems, and biodiversity-rich environments. MCCS is also the home of the Virigina Mars Municipal School and conducts community engagement and local outreach.
La Chola and large-scale farms
As a leading research farm for cocoa yields and farm management practices, Mars La Chola in Ecuador allows us to scale up our plant science research, mechanization and farming technology, and help suppliers apply those learnings on large-scale farms in other origins.
Sharing scientific research
At Mars, we believe in sharing our research with the world in service of the future of cocoa and cocoa-growing communities. Since 2019, Mars scientists have published or co-authored more than 30 scientific papers and participated in other scientific presentations.
- Shade tree functional traits drive critical ecosystem services in cocoa agroforestry systems
- Molecular Surveillance, Prevalence, and Distribution of Cacao Infecting Badnavirus Species in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana
- Soil quality reflects microbial resource availability and drives rhizosphere microbiome variation in Ghanaian cocoa farms
- Rootstock, Scion, and Microbiome Contributions to Cadmium Mitigation in Five Indonesian Cocoa Cultivars
- Development of a Diet Production System for Conopomorpha cramerella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), a Major Cocoa Production Pest in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands
Stories from the lab and field
Joanna Hwu at the plant science center in Davis, California.
Cocoa under threat
“With the realities of climate change and the continued threats to cocoa from pests and disease, the work we’re doing at our cocoa science centers helps farmers face these critical challenges within the cocoa supply chain and has the potential to catalyze change for the industry.”
—Joanna Hwu, Sr. Director, Mars Cocoa Plant Science and Operation
Suwardi, a “cocoa doctor” from the Mars Cocoa Academy in Indonesia, observes cocoa plants.
Turning research into solutions
“By translating research findings into practical solutions, like targeted spraying to control cocoa pod borer and mobile mechanical pod breaker for small farms, through targeted training and demonstrations with the Mars Cocoa Academy, we work to provide solutions to help overcome agronomic challenges and increase cocoa productivity. “
—Agus Purwantara, Research Station Manager in Sulawesi
Asep H., Indonesia
Supporting cocoa agri-preneurs
“My profession now is a ‘cocoa doctor,’ currently assisting 250 cocoa farmers. [Before] I was just a regular farmer. I first joined business and agronomy trainings and before that I didn’t know anything. I didn’t know pruning, I didn’t know fertilization, I didn’t know spraying. I was invited to join Mars training in 2015-2016...That’s where I learned how to cultivate cocoa. After the trainings, I can apply the knowledge in my own cocoa farm before relaying it to other farmers. The results from my cocoa farm were satisfying. Even now I can send my kid to school until she graduated from college. I can teach my 250 assisted farmers.”
—Asep H., a cocoa doctor trained by the Mars Cocoa Academy
Footnotes
1. At Mars, we recognize that the global cocoa supply chain faces many complex and interconnected risks and challenges, especially in regions of West Africa. Although Mars does not own or operate any cocoa farms in West Africa, it does purchase cocoa sourced from all over the world, including West Africa. Mars is making investments in various programs with the goal of helping to combat the risks of human rights abuses, climate change and threats to forests, among other things. Ultimately, no one actor can combat these risks alone—lasting progress will depend on collective action from governments, corporations, NGOs, and all stakeholders in the cocoa industry.
2. When we say climate-resilient practices we mean practices that can help cocoa withstand the effects of climate change. These can include agroforestry, shade trees, and fertigation, which can help with drought resistance, as well as practices that help protect against potential future threats, such as diseases spreading in new regions.