The swollen shoot cacao tree virus is wreaking havoc on cacao trees in Ivory Coast and Ghana, posing a major threat to the global supply of chocolate. The virus, which is spread by mealybugs, has destroyed 15-50% of the harvest in these West African countries, which account for around half of the world’s cocoa production. The virus weakens cacao trees and affects the dried seeds from which chocolate is made.
Researchers have been hard at work trying to find a solution to this crisis. Benito Chen-Charpentier, a professor of mathematics at The University of Texas at Arlington, has developed a new strategy that could help farmers protect their crops. He has discovered that planting a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated trees a certain distance apart can reduce the spread of the virus and minimize the number of trees affected.
“This virus is a real threat to the global supply of chocolate,” Chen-Charpentier said. “But our new strategy could help farmers protect their crops and keep the world’s chocolate supply flowing.”
While still experimental, Chen-Charpentier’s model is a promising step towards addressing the cacao virus crisis. It could help farmers achieve a better harvest and protect their livelihoods, while also ensuring that the world’s chocolate addiction can continue to be satisfied.
