MOCCA, together with Alianza Bioversty-Ciat and the Ministry of Agriculture, Pronagro, launched the “Catalog of Cocoa Clones of Honduras”, a collection that presents the identification and classification of cocoa clones based on their unique morphological and genetic characteristics in the country.
The Honduran Clone Catalogue provides producers and the cocoa sector in general with precise tools to identify and select the most appropriate clones according to their needs. To create this Catalogue, diagnostic information has been collected and producers’ organizations, the cocoa chain and experts from the Bioversity-CIAT Alliance have actively participated in online events to promote the use of the catalogue. In addition, coordination has been carried out with SAG-Pronagro to share the catalogue with the National Cocoa Chain Committee, ensuring its dissemination and effective application in the sector.
MOCCA es una iniciativa financiada por el Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (USDA), a través de su Programa de Alimentos para el Progreso (Food for Progress Program), que busca mejorar la productividad agrícola y expandir el comercio de productos agrícolas. El programa MOCCA es ejecutado por un consorcio liderado por TechnoServe, Lutheran World Relief lidera las actividades del programa cacao.
“One of the main objectives of the MOCCA program since its inception has been to provide research results to producers participating in the project. We know that there is a wide genetic diversity in the cocoa plantations of the countries where we work and not everything was documented, systematized and characterized to be able to exchange this information,” said Carolina Aguilar, Director of the Cocoa Program at MOCCA.
In the face of climate change and market demands, producers must make decisions about which materials have the best productivity, adaptation and quality. This catalogue is part of a regional effort in 7 countries where information has been collected on planting materials available in Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Peru, Ecuador and Trinidad and Tobago, organizing the information on planting materials available in their countries.
“In the specific case of Honduras, the objective of this catalogue is to publicize the diversity of cocoa varieties that exist in the country’s collections in order to promote their use and conservation. The Honduran Agricultural Research Foundation (FHIA) has led cocoa research in the country and its contribution to conservation has been fundamental for the sector, as they maintain a germplasm bank of more than forty selected clones that have been characterized at a morphological, agronomic and genetic level. It is thanks to this work by FHIA over the years that producers have been able to access quality materials in the country,” said Aguilar.
The catalogue presents a total of 33 descriptors that allow for precise identification of cocoa clones by their morphological and genetic characteristics. In addition to this initiative in Honduras, there are catalogues for Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, Peru and Ecuador, and it seeks not only to raise awareness of the diversity of cocoa in the MOCCA countries, but also to promote their conservation and optimal use. Each collection included in the catalogue is presented with detailed information about its establishment, the key players and how to access the genetic material of interest.
Flower: 4 descriptors | Cob: 8 descriptors | Seed: 4 descriptors
About Bioversty -CIAT
In 2020, Bioversity International and CIAT joined forces to form the Bioversity International and CIAT Alliance. This Alliance aims to improve the sustainability and resilience of food and agricultural systems, using research and innovation to address global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and food insecurity. The Alliance combines the expertise and resources of both organizations to more effectively address agricultural and environmental issues at a global level.
About SAG
The Secretariat of Agriculture and Livestock of Honduras (SAG) is the government entity responsible for formulating, coordinating, implementing and evaluating policies, plans and programs related to the agricultural sector in the country. Its mission is to promote agricultural and livestock development to ensure food security, improve the productivity and competitiveness of the sector, and contribute to the economic and social development of Honduras.
For more information, please contact:
Gisselle Alemán Ayala
Regional Manager of Communication for Development | TechnoServe – MOCCA
galeman@tns.org
