IBM and Mars intend to sequence and study the cocoa genome

30 June 2008

Computing giant IBM and  the world's largest chocolate company, Mars Incorporated, have joined hands with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), a scientific research agency of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), to sequence and analyse the entire cocoa genome. 

Sequencing the cocoa genome is a significant scientific step that may allow more directed breeding of cocoa plants and perhaps even enhance the quality of cocoa, the key ingredient in chocolate. 

Cocoa has been the subject of little agricultural research compared to other major crops such as corn, wheat and rice. And while cocoa is not grown in the U.S., for every dollar of cocoa imported, between one and two dollars of domestic agricultural products are used in the manufacture of chocolate products.

The research group expects it will take about five years to complete the entire sequencing project.

The research results may enable farmers to plant better quality cocoa and, more importantly, help create healthier, stronger cocoa crops with higher yields, pest and disease resistance, and increased water and nutrient use efficiency. These crops may help protect an important social, economic and environmental driver in Africa, where 70 per cent of the world's cocoa is produced.

Additionally, Mars, which is financially backing and coordinating this project, will make its research results freely available through the Public Intellectual Property Resource for Agriculture (PIPRA), which supports agricultural innovation for both humanitarian and small-scale commercial purposes.