CADMIUM NEWSLETTER

ISSUE #1

We are pleased to present the first edition of this informative newsletter which seeks to facilitate cadmium information exchange among various actors to improve the effectiveness of cadmium mitigation strategies and measures at the farm level.

Maximising opportunities in coffee and cacao in the Americas (MOCCA) is a Project funded by USDA-FAS and executed by Technoserve and LWR. Cocoa Research Centre of the University of the West Indies (CRC) is partnering with MOCCA to advance cadmium research, innovation and experimentation across the six targeted countries (Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Peru). CRC has been working on the mitigation of cadmium in cocoa for over a decade and has tested various approaches of mitigation. Through this newsletter, we wish to share our experiences with others and also learn from your experiences. Together we hope to overcome the challenge of cadmium presence in cacao.

ABOUT THE COCOA RESEARCH CENTRE

The Cocoa Research Centre (CRC) is a research institute within the University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago with a triple mandate to support (a) the conservation of cocoa genetic resources, (b) research to improve productivity and overcome constraints and (c) to support development through a variety of outreach activities (https://sta.uwi.edu/cru/). The Cocoa Research Centre was established in 1930 and has continued its work unabatedly over the past 90 years. CRC is the custodian of ‘The International Cocoa Genebank Trinidad (ICGT), consisting of 2400 cocoa varieties and is recognized as the largest and most diverse cocoa collection in the world. Its work on cocoa diseases, quality management system, climate resilience and mitigation of cadmium contamination of cocoa, DNA fingerprinting and breeding is well known. CRC has set up the International Fine Cocoa Innovation Centre (IFCIC) as a coordinated outreach mechanism to support the fine/flavour sector in the LAC region through (http://ifcic.center/) a range of training products, technology products and support services.

WHAT IS CADMIUM AND WHY SHOULD I LEARN MORE ABOUT IT?Cadmium is a heavy metal which is toxic to humans if consumed as part of the diet at levels considered unsafe. Cocoa beans and cocoa products emerging from parts of Latin America and the Caribbean region have been shown to contain cadmium at unsafe levels and as such European Food Safety Authority and the State of California (Proposition 65) in the United States have developed stringent regulations to protect consumers. This could affect the export of cocoa beans to EU and other markets, affecting livelihoods of cocoa farmers from this region. https://ec.europa.eu/food/sites/food/fi les/safety/docs/cs_contaminants_catalogue_cadmium_chocolate_en.pdf Cadmium in chocolate: learn more.

MOCCA PRIORITIZES THE SEARCH FOR MITIGATION SOLUTIONSThe overall objective of the project is to strengthen the knowledge and technical capacity of national actors and institutions on cadmium mitigation approaches through training workshops, information exchange platforms and provision of technical services to farmers, organizations and industry stakeholders. Under the MOCCA project, CRC will coordinate actions with research centers and their initiatives such as the FONTAGRO platform led by ESPOL TECH and the Cacao Seguro program in Peru, in order to bring the most up-to-date information to support the work of various actors including governmental institutions, non-governmental organizations, producer organizations and private actors currently leading cadmium mitigation efforts.

WORK PROGRAMME FOR MOCCA-CADMIUM PROJECT

1. Status of cadmium studies in MOCCA countries using a survey tool and the identifi cation of gaps

2. Develop nuanced strategies for cadmium mitigation and prioritize action by country.

3. Develop protocols, guidelines and methodologies based on the best scientifi c knowledge.

4. Development of newsletters, blogs, information bulletins and video clips elaborating best practices and success stories and inclusion in Cacao Móvil.

5. Provision of soil, bean and fertiliser testing services and information sharing.

6. Development of train the trainer workshops to disseminate fi ndings

7. Cost-benefi t analysis of cadmium mitigation measures at the farm level.

INTERPRETIVE SUMMARIES OF NEW PUBLICATIONSIn this section of the newsletter we would like you to share a summary of research fi ndings, success stories or layman summary of research articles which can benefi t all the actors. Here is an example of work from the CRC:

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Red Amel 1

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JA 5/39

CL 27/50

PA 218IC

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AGU 3339/12

LZ 13LV 20

SLC 19

B 5/3

CLM 116

CRU 72

AMAZ 32

AM 2/61

IMC 105

SCA 3

JA 4/17

LP 1/21SCA 5

PA 132

Bean

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m (m

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Fig 1. Differences in bean cadmium levels among some cacao varieties of the ICCT

UPCOMING EVENTS• Workshop on “Sustainable conservation and

utilization of genetic resources supported by the cocoa industry and stakeholders.” Monday 30 March, 2020, Cocoa Research Centre, St. Augustine, Trinidad Contact: pumaharan@sta.uwi.edu

• Symposium on Cocoa Research and Development (Wednesday 01 April, 2020). Cocoa Research Centre, St. Augustine, Trinidad Contact: pumaharan@sta.uwi.edu

• Cacao & Chocolate Summit (27-29 May, Quito, Ecuador). Organized by Conexion Chocolate and MOCCA with its partners FCIA, LWR and Rikolto. Contact: caguilar@lwr.org; b.guyton@finechocolateindustry.org

CAN GRAFTING BE USED TO REDUCE CADMIUM UPTAKE IN COCOA BEANS?In a study to understand the genetic differences in cadmium uptake in cocoa beans and leaves CRC evaluated 100 cacao varieties grown from rooted cuttings in a high cadmium soil (1.2 mg per kg). From this study, 10 varieties that accumulate less cadmium in the cacao beans and 10 that show greater uptake were identified (Figure 1). CRC is testing these varieties in grafting experiments to determine the effectiveness of these cacao varieties as rootstocks in reducing cadmium bioaccumulation.

For further information: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969718320163, Genetic variation in bioaccumulation and partitioning of cadmium in Theobroma cacao L.: learn more.

CAN SOIL AMENDMENTS BE USED TO REDUCE CADMIUM UPTAKE IN CACAO? CRC has found in greenhouse studies and replicated field trials that cadmium levels in cacao can be significantly reduced by addition of lime in acidic soils and organic manure in the form of biochar in all soils. The effectiveness of amendments decreased from in vitro, to greenhouse and field studies due to environmental factors and other possible soil properties. In field studies the effectiveness of ameliorants decreased over time and indicated that ameliorants must be replenished. Field studies are underway to determine the most appropriate timing and placement of ameliorants to improve effectiveness.

For further information: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969719334837, The effectiveness of soil amendments, biochar and lime, in mitigating cadmium bioaccumulation in Theobroma cacao L.: learn more.

CONTACT US If you have relevant events or information that you would like to share in our next edition, please contact us:

PROF. PATHMANATHAN UMAHARAN Director, Cocoa Research Centre The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine T: 1 (868) 662 2002 ext. 82115 or 83332 T/F: 1 (868) 662 8788 E: PUmaharan@sta.uwi.edu cacaocentre.com | facebook.com/cocoacentre twitter.com/cocoacentre

GIDEON RAMTAHAL, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Researcher, Cocoa Research Centre The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine T: 1 (868) 662 2002 ext. 82115 T/F: 1 (868) 662 8788 E: gideon.ramtahal@gmail.com

LUIS OROZCO AGUILAR, Ph.D. Deputy Director for Research and Innovation. MOCCA Project Lutheran World Relief | IMA World Health T: +506.6434.9501 | lorozcoaguilar@lwr.org facebook.com/CacaoMOvilLWR