Collaborative and participatory approaches to cocoa germplasm evaluation and selection

This paper summarizes the objectives and achievements obtained in two successive 'CFC\\ICCO\\IPGRI' projects, aiming at enhanced collaborative and participative approaches to cocoa germplasm evaluation and selection. The 'Cocoa Germplasm Utilization and Conservation, a Global Approach' project (1998-2004) had as main objective to strengthen cocoa improvement programs and to increase international collaboration aiming at obtaining more resistant and productive cocoa varieties. These results obtained include: publication and adoption of standardised working procedures; establishement of 94 ha of new variety trials and observation plots containing a total of 2775 clonal and 1647 hybrid varieties; establishement of an International Clone Trial (9 sites); large-scale evaluation and selection for resistance to diseases and pests; germplasm enhancement for resistance to Phytophthora pod rot; identification of the 'CFC/ICCO/IPGRI Project Collection' (i .e 110 accessions containing wide genetic variation and enhanced agronomic traits);exchange of information and distribution of interesting germplasm through the quarantine facility at the University of Reading, UK. The indirect benefits include increased human capacity building,more effective and coordinated use of limited resources,increased collaboration between cocoa conservation and utilisation efforts and enhanced sustainability of cocoa breeding programs. The achievement in the Germplasm Project have permitted the partners to foster further international collaboration and to involve the farmers directly in the process of developing new varieties within the framework of the new CFC/ICCO/IPGRI project on 'Cocoa Productivity and Quality Improvement, a Participatory Approach' (2004-2009). The farmers participatory selection approach includes: documentation of farmers' knowledge on planting materials in 'farm surveys' and incorporation of such knowledge in cocoa selection p rogrammes' participatory identification of promising trees in farmers' field'comparison of best varieties selected by breeders with farm selections in 'on-farm trials', and exchange of information and promotion of use of improved planting materials by farmers in 'national stakeholder meetings' and in annual 'field days'. This new project also enhances further international collaborative cocoa breeding activities, including:further evaluation of the trials established in the first CFC/ICCO/IPGRI project; establishment of 'regional variety trials' in Africa and in America; quarantine and distribution of promising germplasm, including the CFC/ICCO/IPGRI Project Collection; improvement of resistance screening methods; further enhancement for resistance to Phytophthora pod rot, witches' broom and moniliasis; DNA marker studies on genetic identity, on genetic diversity and for identification of QTLs for important selection traits; training and capacity building. Perspectives based on the likely benefits of the two CFC/ICCO/IPGRI projects, as well as on their limitations, for future regional and international collaboration on cocoa improvement are discussed.