Ecuador Works to Save Cocoa Plant Genes

Ecuador is witnessing a significant rise in cacao production, averaging a 15 percent annual growth since 2014. The country's National Institute of Agricultural Research, led by Cesar Guillermo Tapia Bastidas, manages a germplasm bank housing around 28,000 accessions, making it one of the largest in Latin America. This collection includes vital materials like fine aroma cacao, and efforts are underway to enhance conservation methods with support from the Biodiversity for Opportunities, Livelihoods and Development program, which aids national genebanks across various regions. The germplasm bank was established in response to the loss of underutilized crops in the 1980s, serving as a crucial resource for breeding programs aimed at developing high-yield, pest-resistant varieties. Tapia emphasizes the importance of returning these preserved varieties to agricultural communities to promote biodiversity, agro-tourism, and the creation of value-added products. He highlights the urgent need to combat genetic erosion and plans to develop a "red book" of native agrobiodiversity to raise awareness about the loss of this essential diversity. Tapia's commitment to agrobiodiversity stems from his early involvement with indigenous and farming communities, where he observed a decline in native species critical for food security. He advocates for greater researcher participation in policy-making and has represented Ecuador in international biodiversity negotiations. In Colombia, researcher Diana Medellín-Zabala is studying the Brazil nut plant family, which is economically significant, valued at $299 million. She notes the ecological importance of this family, which includes 215 species across Central and South America, contributing to carbon sequestration and supporting pollinators.