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Cocoa
Context:
Climate change is putting stress on rainforests where the delicate cocoa bean thrives, but companies are exploring alternative methods to grow cocoa or create cocoa substitutes.
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- Cocoa trees thrive in warm, rainy regions about 20 degrees north and south of the equator, including West Africa and South America.
- However, climate change is expected to dry out these areas as temperatures rise.
- In response, scientists, entrepreneurs, and chocolate enthusiasts are exploring ways to make cocoa cultivation more resilient and pest-resistant, as well as developing cocoa alternatives with a chocolate-like taste.
- California Cultured, a plant cell culture company based in West Sacramento, is cultivating cocoa from cell cultures and plans to begin selling its products next year.
- The company grows cocoa bean cells in a vat with sugar water, allowing them to mature in just a week, compared to the traditional six to eight months.
- This method significantly reduces the need for water and labour.
About Cocoa
- It is a crucial agricultural commodity primarily used in chocolate production, and its cultivation and processing have significant economic and environmental implications.
- Cocoa Trees: Cocoa trees (Theobroma cacao) are native to the Amazon rainforest and thrive in humid tropical climates, particularly in regions close to the equator between 20 degrees north and south latitude.
- They require specific conditions: annual rainfall of 1500-2000 mm, temperatures between 30-32°C mean maximum and 18-21°C mean minimum, and well-drained, fertile soils with a pH of 6-7.5.
- Major Producers: Approximately 70% of the world’s cocoa beans are produced in four West African countries: Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon.
- Côte d’Ivoire is the largest producer, accounting for more than 50% of global cocoa production.
- In India: In India, cocoa thrives best when cultivated in coconut and areca nut gardens, where 30-50% of sunlight can be filtered through the areca nut canopy.
- It is primarily grown as an intercrop with areca nut and coconut in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
- Andhra Pradesh is the biggest cocoa producer in India, at 12,135 tonnes.
- The Central Plantation Crops Research Institute carries out systematic cocoa improvement programs, including the introduction of new germplasm.
