Mars has committed to a 100% sustainable supply chain and has partnered with US plant analytics company, in a move to sustainably meet the high demands for cacao.
The company has announced its plans, as part of its Cocoa for Generations strategy.
While in the past, increasing demand for cacao has been met by increasing the total acreage under cacao cultivation, this approach has resulted in deforestation and environmental degradation, according to Mars.
As a result, Mars has joined forces with Nature Source Improved Plants (NSIP) in a collaborative project to accelerate the development of new cacao varieties with higher yields, increased disease resistance and improved quality.
Within its strategy, Mars said it “intends to step-change efforts, lead the way and invite others to partner with them in a new approach to increase farmer income, protect children and preserve forests today, and crack the code on a model of modern sustainable cocoa farming for tomorrow.”
Located in USA and Mexico, NSIP is an analytics company dedicated to the conservation, evaluation and utilisation of natural genetic resources to deliver high performing plant materials.
Dr Steven Tanksley, chief technology officer of NSIP, said: “NSIP is excited to be providing both its expertise and advanced analytical tools in this collaboration with Mars to develop and offer higher yielding, more resistance and higher quality cacao varieties for the benefit of farmers and consumers worldwide.”
