The future of chocolate in the hands of British scientists – Mail.Ru

The demand for chocolate is growing. In this case, the last few years the supply increases much more slowly, and about 30% of the harvest cocoa beans are killed each year due to pests or diseases.

 

This problem can solve new varieties of cocoa trees. But before you send a new product to farmers, scientists need to analyze how it is safe, resistant to various diseases, and what his taste. And the International Cocoa Quarantine Centre at Reading should help with this.

 

Chocolate booths under Redinga

 

Since 1985, all new cacao seeds and plants pass through the biologists

 

University of Reading, who took this important work of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.

 

For 30 years running a quarantine center in the village of Shinfield, a few miles from the University.

 

«One of the principal issues to improve cocoa – supply of safe, clean, healthy and interesting stuff,” – says Professor Paul Hadley, Project Manager Cocoa University of Reading.

 

The new facility, which cost a million pounds, began to take the plant a month ago. Now the entire collection of 400 species of trees was chocolate in one huge greenhouse.

 

Professor Hadley says that maintaining tropical environment necessary for plants, associated with excessive energy consumption. The new system allows to reduce electricity consumption and simplifies the work of biologists.

 

British climate is cool greenhouses significantly reduces the risk of those diseases that afflict chocolate tree s in natural conditions in Africa, South and Central America.

 

A small team – a world problem

 

After about two years of quarantine seeds sent from Redinga farmers who grow cocoa beans.

 

Approximately 75% of the crop cocoa concentrated in a few countries in West Africa. The region growing cocoa employs 2 million people.

 

Professor Hadley said that the proposal has not kept pace with demand mainly due to the growth of chocolate consumption in developing countries, where people had money and sweets.

 

To solve the problem of demand, in addition to new varieties have improved and agricultural practices. Most of the crop is produced by small farms, in which the farmer can handle one or two hectares of land.

 

Despite the fact that Professor Hadley is responsible for a huge research program, a valuable collection of largely in the hands of two technical staff of the University. “Small team, which is a big responsibility,” – says Professor.