Progress 08/15/07 to 06/30/12
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): The objective of this cooperative research project is to support the efforts of a regional working group in West Africa to coalesce their breeding programs into a cooperative, strategic approach to improve Theobroma cacao. Approach (from AD-416): These activities are being conducted within the framework of the Sustainable Tree Crops Program (STCP), managed by IITA. The STCP was created to as a platform for a public-private partnership between industry, producers, researchers, government agencies, public sector institutions and conservation groups to coordinate, manage and focus efforts towards sustainable tree crop development in Sub Saharan Africa, particularly in the area of cocoa cultivation. USDA-ARS is developing a number of projects with CRIG, the CNRA, IRAD and CRIN supporting molecular marker work and transferring disease resistance to be implemented through cooperative research agreements in coordination with a West African breeders working group. The working group has been developing closer regional linkages in support of their breeding programs; however more intensive, regular facilitation would help catalyze the development of a regional breeding strategy. Thus, this project would establish support efforts for the working group to develop a regional breeding strategy by facilitating regional meetings, supporting an elected chair for the group to coordinate efforts annually among the research institutions and with the STCP and other relevant organizations and projects. Dr. Francis Padi, CRIG, has replaced Dr. Desire Pokou (CNRA) as the Chair of the African Cocoa Breeders Working Group (ACBWG) as of September 2011. The ACBW�s annual meeting took place in Ghana in September 2011. The main focus of the meeting was a review of progress of the various country cocoa breeding projects. The meeting provided an opportunity for updates on an ongoing regional project on testing breeding value of clones underutilized in cocoa breeding. The group also discussed proposed research areas outlined in a 2010 White Paper. Updates on a proposal submitted to the African Cocoa Initiative of the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF-ACI) were provided. Other funding opportunities were identified and modalities to seek these funding were elaborated. The need for increase in funding following the end of the agreements with USDA-ARS was emphasized at the annual meeting. The approval of the proposal submitted to the WCF as part of the ACI �Enhancing the Quality of Cocoa Planting Materials and its Accessibility to Farmers in West Africa� was therefore an important contribution to the continued collaborative research of the ACWG. In March 2012, representatives of Ghana, Cote d�Ivoire, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Togo, met in Accra to finalize work plans for execution of a five year project due to take off in September 2012. The highlights of the proposal are due to be published in the 12th edition of the Ingenic Newsletter �The African Cocoa Breeders Working Group Receives Grant Support from the World Cocoa Foundation�. The WCF-ACI project will address only three thematic research areas identified in the 2010 White Paper. As such, efforts were made to obtain funding from other sources. A research proposal was therefore submitted by the ACBWG in 02/2012 on �Facilitating Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Cocoa Farming Systems in West and Central Africa� to CORAF. The ACBWG is yet to know about the status of the proposal.
Impacts
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Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The objective of this cooperative research project is to support the efforts of a regional working group in West Africa to coalesce their breeding programs into a cooperative, strategic approach to improve Theobroma cacao. Approach (from AD-416) These activities are being conducted within the framework of the Sustainable Tree Crops Program (STCP), managed by IITA. The STCP was created to as a platform for a public-private partnership between industry, producers, researchers, government agencies, public sector institutions and conservation groups to coordinate, manage and focus efforts towards sustainable tree crop development in Sub Saharan Africa, particularly in the area of cocoa cultivation. USDA-ARS is developing a number of projects with CRIG, the CNRA, IRAD and CRIN supporting molecular marker work and transferring disease resistance to be implemented through cooperative research agreements in coordination with a West African breeders working group. The working group has been developing closer regional linkages in support of their breeding programs; however more intensive, regular facilitation would help catalyze the development of a regional breeding strategy. Thus, this project would establish support efforts for the working group to develop a regional breeding strategy by facilitating regional meetings, supporting an elected chair for the group to coordinate efforts annually among the research institutions and with the STCP and other relevant organizations and projects. This year leadership for the African Cocoa Breeders Working Group (ACBWG) continued with Dr. Desire Pokou as Chair (also the PI on the CNRA-IITA agreement for Cote d�Ivoire, Project No: 0210-22310-003-11S). The ACBW met at the STCP conference room in Accra, Ghana on May 9-11, 2011 to define its next five years work plan. Principal Investigators (breeders) from Cote d�Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and partners from IITA and STCP attended the meeting. On behalf of the group, the Chair has prepared a core project of five components to be implemented in Cote d�Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon and Togo. As a result of the Accra meeting held in June 2010, a committee was established to work on the identification of priorities for activities that need continuation and funding. The committee is comprised of a Project Coordinator (Bertus Eskes) and representatives of each of the three continents (Kelvin Lamin /Asia, D�sir� Pokou/Africa, and Wilbert Phillips/South America). A draft document is circulating among partners for feedback. A Cacao Genome Workshop organized by USDA-ARS took place in San Diego in Jan 2011. The workshop was held during the Plant and Animal Genome (PAG) conference. The workshop aimed to present the progress of the ongoing cacao genome sequencing project as well as the breeding activities in different producing regions of the world. The Chair of ACBWG made a presentation on regional effort on cocoa breeding in West Africa. Parallel to the PAG event, the Chair also organized a meeting with African breeders and their partners from USDA and MARS. It was agreed that the next meeting of ACBW will take place in Ghana September 19-22, 2011 to allow the participation of more African breeders. The STCP Executive Committee met in Abuja, Nigeria, on Nov 4-5 2010, to discuss ongoing activities and define new activities for the phases III. Due to the political disruption in Cote d�Ivoire, the Chair of ACBWG asked the former Chair and PI for the CRIN project, Peter Aikpokpodion, to attend in his stead. A Phase III proposal has been submitted to USAID and WCF, with three components, one of which will be research that includes the continuation of this cocoa improvement program. A workshop on �Global Strategy for the Conservation and Utilization of Cacao Genetic Resources� was held at University of Reading, UK on July 6-8, 2011. Attendance included ACBWG breeders, collection managers and partners from Bioversity International and USDA. The participants 1) reviewed and complete the draft Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Cacao Genetic Resources; 2) to discuss the strategic components and discuss the key issues; and 3) to develop a business plan.
Impacts
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Publications
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The objective of this cooperative research project is to support the efforts of a regional working group in West Africa to coalesce their breeding programs into a cooperative, strategic approach to improve Theobroma cacao. Approach (from AD-416) These activities are being conducted within the framework of the Sustainable Tree Crops Program (STCP), managed by IITA. The STCP was created to as a platform for a public-private partnership between industry, producers, researchers, government agencies, public sector institutions and conservation groups to coordinate, manage and focus efforts towards sustainable tree crop development in Sub Saharan Africa, particularly in the area of cocoa cultivation. USDA-ARS is developing a number of projects with CRIG, the CNRA, IRAD and CRIN supporting molecular marker work and transferring disease resistance to be implemented through cooperative research agreements in coordination with a West African breeders working group. The working group has been developing closer regional linkages in support of their breeding programs; however more intensive, regular facilitation would help catalyze the development of a regional breeding strategy. Thus, this project would establish support efforts for the working group to develop a regional breeding strategy by facilitating regional meetings, supporting an elected chair for the group to coordinate efforts annually among the research institutions and with the STCP and other relevant organizations and projects. This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and the Sustainable Tree Crop Program, managed by IITA, based in Accra, Ghana. This project is cooperative under 6631-21000-017. This year there were several activities undertaken by the African Cocoa Breeders Working Group (WG). The ADODR and Lead Scientist (Ray Schnell, ARS-Miami) met with the WG during the PAG meeting in San Diego in January. The Lead Scientist also met with the WG during the final CFC meeting in Abidjan in June 2010 and at the Ingenic meeting in Bali in the fall of 2009. The Chair continued to report to the biannual Sustainable Tree Crop Program Executive Committee (ExCom). During the 2nd WG meeting held in Accra, Ghana, in September 2009, Dr Desire Pokou from CNRA was elected chair for the 2009-11 period. The WG agreed to set up a regional trial to maximize exploitation of genetic diversity in cacao and advance the selection of new planting material with the maximum number of favorable traits. In addition, a task force was set up to write a proposal of a regional project, �Quality control over seed garden output using molecular markers�. The proposal was presented to the STCP Executive Committee (ExCom) in Oct 2009 for funding. The ExCom met in May 2010 in Cameroon. At this meeting, IITA indicated its willing to work with the WG in cocoa breeding, cacao agroforestry and pest and disease management. The next WG meeting was held in Abidjan in June 2010, attended by breeders from six countries (Cameroon, C�te d�Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, and Liberia) and partners (ARS, Mars, COPAL and IITA). The current ARS-led Cocoa Project in Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d�Ivoire and Cameroon was discussed in greater details. Ideas on capacity building and exploring opportunities for funding future activities were also discussed. The chair was requested to contact the Cocoabod-Ghana to request technical support to the Liberia cocoa growing activities. The WG chair visited Cameroon (IRAD) to discuss the advancement of cocoa research. Two major factors impeding productivity are die-back and black pod disease. As a consequence, farmers are requesting more selected planting material for expansion, or regeneration, of old farms. During the visit, discussions were devoted also to the possibility to exploit clones with high flavor quality. Drs. Pokou and Ray Schnell (ARS-Miami) visited the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) to discuss the current cocoa research at CRIG and perspective of applied molecular markers in breeding. This visit included a field trip to nurseries and trails. A Cacao Genome Workshop was organized by ARS and Mars as part of the Plant and Animal Genome (PAG) Conference held in San Diego, Jan 2010. The workshop provided an opportunity to present the progress of the ongoing cacao genome sequencing project and for each WG member to present their breeding activity and the impact of the sequencing project on the advancement of breeding.
Impacts
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Publications
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The objective of this cooperative research project is to support the efforts of a regional working group in West Africa to coalesce their breeding programs into a cooperative, strategic approach to improve Theobroma cacao. Approach (from AD-416) These activities are being conducted within the framework of the Sustainable Tree Crops Program (STCP), managed by IITA. The STCP was created to as a platform for a public-private partnership between industry, producers, researchers, government agencies, public sector institutions and conservation groups to coordinate, manage and focus efforts towards sustainable tree crop development in Sub Saharan Africa, particularly in the area of cocoa cultivation. USDA-ARS is developing a number of projects with CRIG, the CNRA, IRAD and CRIN supporting molecular marker work and transferring disease resistance to be implemented through cooperative research agreements in coordination with a West African breeders working group. The working group has been developing closer regional linkages in support of their breeding programs; however more intensive, regular facilitation would help catalyze the development of a regional breeding strategy. Thus, this project would establish support efforts for the working group to develop a regional breeding strategy by facilitating regional meetings, supporting an elected chair for the group to coordinate efforts annually among the research institutions and with the STCP and other relevant organizations and projects. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations This report serves to document research conducted under a Specific Cooperative agreement between ARS and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan - Nigeria. This project is cooperative under 6631-21000-017. This year there were several activities undertaken by the Working Group. The Chair continued to report to the biannual Sustainable Tree Crop Program Executive Committee. The WG participate at the Cocoa Symposium in Kumasi in the fall of 2008. As part of an outline for the Symposium�s 30-year�s future outlook for planting materials in Africa, the Chair prepared and circulated the plan of action for the West African Cocoa Breeding Project as agreed during the WG meeting and review of the USDA Cocoa Project. ARS cooperator, Ray Schnell, met with the CNRA PI during a meeting in Ghana in September 2009. Progress was determined through discussions at that meeting and in email exchanges throughout the year. This working group has been key to coalesce the efforts of individual research institutions in West and Central Africa around cocoa improvement given that the bulk of the world�s cocoa is produced by smallholder cocoa farmers in that region. An efficient and profitable cocoa cultivation by these farmers is a key to sustainable cocoa production. With recognition of the need to commonly address the issues through regional collaboration, a working group evolved on the platforms of the global CFC-ICCO- Bioversity International Projects, USAID-USDA-Mars Inc-STCP Projects to galvanize regional collaboration in crop improvement efforts among cocoa research institutions of African producing countries. Some of the activities include regional variety trials, regional germplasm exchanges, testing of resistance to Phytophthora pod rot (Ppr) and mirid, training in clonal propagation techniques, application of molecular marker techniques for genetic diversity studies, marker-assisted-selection of Ppr-resistant genotypes, farmer-participatory selection of genotypes and regional institutional exchange visits. To facilitate down-stream access to research results by farmers, breeding and variety selection activities are conducted in on-farm trials with participation of governmental and non-governmental extension service providers. Selected improved hybrids are also made available to farmers through the national cocoa seed delivery system (Clonal and Seed gardens).
Impacts
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