1. Developing improved cocoa
clones for farmers
INGENIC Asia/Pacific regional cocoa
breeding group
Members: Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, India
Smilja Lambert, Mars, Inc

3. Why regional collaboration in cocoa
breeding/selection
• The same pests/diseases in all countries in
Asia/Pacific – CPB, Phytophtora pod rot and
VSD
• Regional activities complementing the
national-level approach
• Complementary gains that could not be
achieved in national level
• More opportunities for larger long term
funding

4. INGENIC Regional Cocoa Breeders
group
• Established in June 2004
• Asia/Pacific part of Global INGENIC cocoa
breeding network
• Involving all regional cocoa research
institutions
• 9th meeting in USM on 20 November

5. Focus of activities
• Breeding/selections for high yielding
clones in the presence of cocoa pod
borer, Phytophthora pod rot and VSD
• Threats by new diseases (Witches broom,
Monilliophtora)

6. Regional exchange
• Each collaborating institution produced 3 BEST
hybrids and send to everybody 200 seeds of
each - approx. 14,000 seeds exchanged
• Each institution have received 15 different
hybrids for field testing and selections of best
high yielding clones adapted to local conditions
• All institutions are receiving since 5 years funding
from World Cocoa Foundation for field testing of
these clones

16. How this exchange will help cocoa
farmers in the Philippines and region??
• Received hybrids made from the best clones:
• High yielding
• Low CPB infestation
• Resistant to Phytophthora pod rot
• Resistant to VSD
• Big beans
• High fat
• New generation superior clones are being
selected from these hybrid trees in USM

18. PBC 123 x LAFI 7

19. USM hybrids