Mars teams up with IBM to map cocoa genome

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — US chocolate and sweets giant Mars is teaming up with IBM to study and map the cocoa genome in a move which could enhance the production of stronger plants, the companies said Thursday.

The firms bid to analyze the key ingredient in chocolate will also be supported by researchers at the US Department of Agriculture.

The companies said their research, which they expect to last five years, could benefit over 6.5 million farmers around the world and help sustain the planet's chocolate supply.

"Mars saw the potential this research holds to help accelerate what farmers have been doing since the beginning of time with traditional breeding, ultimately improving cocoa trees, yielding higher quality cocoa and increasing income for farmers," said...