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SECRETARIAT OF THE PACIFIC SECRÉTARIAT GÉNÉRAL

COMMUNITY
PRIVATE MAIL BAG, SUVA ,FIJI DE LA COMMUNAUTÉ du
TELEPHONE: (679) 337 0733/3300432 PACIFIQUE
FAX: (679) 3305212 PRIVATE MAIL BAG, SUVA ,FIDJI
TÉLÉPHONE: (679) 337 0733/3300432
TÉLÉCOPIEUR: (679) 3305212

SECRETARIAT OF THE PACIFIC COMMUNITY

LAND RESOURCE DIVISION

REVIEW OF GENETIC RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN NATIONAL COLLECTIONS FOR

SELECTION AND DISTRIBUTION TO FARMERS in SAMOA, FIJI and VANUATU

Jeffrie Marfu
PNG Cocoa Coconut Institute Limited
[email protected]

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Contents Page

Contents…………………………………………………………………………………………….1
Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………………………………2
Acronyms………………………………………………………………….......................................3
Terms of References………………………………………………………………………………..3
Executive Summary………………………………………………………………………………...4
Samoa Germplasm Review
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………7
TOR 1……………………………………………………………………………………………….8
TOR 2………………………………………………………………………………………………12
TOR 3……………………………………………………………………………………………….16
General Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………18
Appendix 1………………………………………………………………………………………….19
Appendix 2………………………………………………………………………………………….23
Vanuatu Germplasm Review
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………27
TOR 1……………………………………………………………………………………………….27
TOR 2……………………………………………………………………………………………….33
TOR 3……………………………………………………………………………………………….40
General Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………42
Fiji Germplasm Review
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………43
TOR 1……………………………………………………………………………………………….44
TOR 2……………………………………………………………………………………………….46
TOR 3……………………………………………………………………………………………….51
General Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………52
Appendix 1………………………………………………………………………………………….53

Acknowledgements

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This report would not have materialised without the support of the Secretariat of the South Pacific
Community and Director of Land Resources Division, Inoke Ratukalou.

The support and endurance by Tim Martin - Agribusiness advisor LDR- in facilitating the genetic
resources survey with host countries and persistence on the final trip report cannot go unappreciated.
Thank you Tim.

Dr Richard Markham, Research Manager ACIAR – his advice and overall support for genetic resources
survey is high acknowledged and appreciated.

For the host countries,

1) In Samoa special pacific thanks to:

Fonoiava Sialli CEO Ministry of Agriculture

Misa Konellio CEO Crops Division
Fata Fania Main Facilitator in Samoa – Without whom not could have been achieved. Thanks
for the commitment and hard work
Mr Tuilima Laiti Cocoa private sector – Thanks for the contributions and insights to cocoa in
Samoa
MAF Crops Division Staff in Nu,u and Savaii
Farmers; Koloni Va’ii, Penia Saina, Seufata Paulo, Solomona Aleni, Mataia Sue, Moetu
Toetu, Suega Iakopo – Hope we can repay you back for the hospitality and offer of
your material.

2) In Fiji special thanks to:

Tepola Seniloli Senior Agricultural Officer

Nand Kumar Team Leader Nadroloulou Research Station – Thank you for everything
All field and nursery boys at Nadroloulou Research Station thank you.

3) In Vanuatu special thankyou to

Marie Malteras CEO VARTC – Thank you for the great support and Melanesian hospitality.
Basil Malily Manager – Cocoa Growers Association- Keep working and thank for the insights
James Wasi Manager – National Extension Services - Thank you for the advice and kind
hospitality.
The nursery workers and Farm manager – Thank you tumas for everything.

4) Dr Smilja Lambert Thank you having the confidence and giving the opportunity to carry out
this important work.
5) Dr Eric Omuru CEO PNGCCIL - Thank you for the support, wisdom and foresight for our
contribution to cocoa in the Pacific.

Acronyms

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ACIAR Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
CIRAD Centre for Agricultural Research and Development
FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation
FF Fine Flavoured Cocoa
GOF Government of Fiji
MoA Ministry of Agriculture-Samoa
VARTC Vanuatu Agricultural Research and Training Centre.
VOCGA Vanuatu Cocoa growers Association
PNG Papua New Guinea

TERM OF REFERENCE FOR REPORT

TOR 1: What Genetic Resources are currently Available in National Collections

Samoa, Vanuatu and Fiji

TOR 2: How can these resources be best deployed to farmers to meet current industry needs
Samoa, Vanuatu and Fiji

TOR 3: How can these resources be deployed to help smallholders develop high-value markets?
Samoa, Vanuatu and Fiji

Executive Summary
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Cocoa is commodity industry that can find its niche among Pacific island countries especially Samoa,
Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands. Many farmers in the Pacific have limited income earning options
and cocoa has the potential to improve or diversify their income earning opportunities. Cocoa producers
from the Pacific have or will have a number of distinct advantages which should help develop or gain
access to high value markets. These include;

 Relatively unpolluted and unspoilt environments for cocoa production.

 Very little or no chemicals used in production of cocoa as health concerns are
increasing due to chemical residues found in cocoa from Africa and South America
 Cocoa has existing production systems some of which were established in the colonial days.
 Agriculture in the Pacific continues to be supported by technical assistance from donors.

The current industry situation in the Pacific varies with each country. In Vanuatu and the Solomon
islands cocoa is relatively advanced in comparison to Fiji and Samoa. Considerable effort will be
required to bring the industry in Fiji and Samoa on par with Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. However, low
productivity at farm level is still very common to most farmers in the Pacific. This to some extent is due
to lack of improved farm management skills and lack of or unavailability of good genetic materials for
farmers to utilize.

Under objective 4 of the current ACIAR project, a review of available cocoa germplasm in Samoa, Fiji
and Vanuatu was taken in June 2012. The aim of the review was to:

 Identify genetic resources available in national collections

 Establish how the genetic resources can be best deployed to meet current industry needs in each
country and
 Establish how the resources can be deployed to help small holders develop high value markets in
the respective countries.

Samoa
Cocoa was an important export industry in Samoa during the 1960s and 1970s. Low cocoa prices in the
late 1980s and 1990s coupled with other major constraining factors including the double cyclone effects
of the 1990s contributed to the rapid decline in export. Current production is estimated to be around
500kg or possibly lower. Attempts to increase production in the 1980s by introducing high yielding,
disease resistance and less flavoured Amalanado varieties was short lived. This was due to the fall in
prices, reduction in the “fine flavour” status of Samoan cocoa and deteriorating quality.

Production of Koko Samoa - as a national beverage maintains cocoa as a culturally significant crop in
Samoa. An undocumented portion of Koko Samoa is exported informally as cocoa paste to Samoans
living abroad. However, that alone may not be able to boost the expansion of the industry. Major
incentives need to be provided by government to revitalise the once important export commodity
industry. Remnant populations of the Trinitario germplasm which once earned Samoa’s reputation as an
exclusive producer of “fine flavoured” cocoa are still available.
It is of paramount importance that potential genotypes from the surviving trinitario populations be
collected, conserved and tested. During the trip to review existing germplasm in Samoa priority was
given to identifying potential trinitario materials from farmer fields. A total of 129 clones were identified,
87 in Savaii and 42 in Upolu. These genotypes must be collected from farmer fields and established in
two observation plots in Savaii and Upolu. Further evaluations to select should proceed after field
establishment. Several clonal accessions are also available at cocoa collection at Nu’u Research Centre.
The collection needs to be properly rehabilitated before selections can be made. Sites maps and data for
the collection should be made available to substantiate selection of clones from the collection. Not much
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time was spent on the collection as major effort was put into identifying trinitario materials in farmer
fields.

It recommended that clones must be used as the main source of planting material. The strategies for
selection and testing of materials from the collection at Nu.u and farm selected trinitraio are given. Means
of distribution for selected materials must be done through the establishment of central nurseries and bud
wood. With the current lack of improved planting materials, it is recommended that farmers use their own
good materials available on farm to rehabilitate the cocoa blocks. A strategy is also given to rehabilitate
using good materials available on farm. The existing high value markets can be accessed if sufficient
volumes are produced and quality ascertain. This can best be done through the formation of corporatives
or farmer groups. The Trinitario germplasm can be exploited to revive the FF market for Samoa. Other
high value markets are not variety specific and remain genuine possibilities for Samoa especially the
organic and single origin markets provided quantity and quality guaranteed.

Vanuatu
Cocoa production in Vanuatu varied between 1000 to 1200 metric tonnes in the last decade. Production is
concentrated in three province, Sanma, Penama and Malampa province. Around 70% of the total
production comes from the island of Malekula in Melampa province. Four entities are currently involved
in the export marketing of cocoa in Vanuatu. These buyers have had a positive impact on the cocoa prices
in Vanuatu. From the four buyers VOCGA supplies “organic certified” cocoa to KAOKA (processor of
organic beans) in French. The “organic niche market” for Vanuatu cocoa has been successful and
important lessons and experiences can be learnt from its establishment.

VOCGA has established a reputation for supplying high quality cocoa. However its major challenge
including the other three entities is to increase production. Attempts to increase current production has
been limited largely due to lack of improved farm management skills and lack of improved planting
material available to farmers. The current ACIAR project identifies these as important issues to address
in order to increase cocoa production at farm level. Two options are available for Vanuatu to supply
improved planting material; either as hybrids or clones. Several recommendations have been made to
improve the existing open pollinated seed garden at VARTC before seed supplies can be done. However
supply of clones is still highly recommended.

During the germplasm review more than 100 clonal accessions were identified in the main collection at
VARTC. Twenty (20) clones are classified as Criollo, 40 Trinitario and 41 Forasteros. Some of the
clones were pre-selected and established in a core collection as part of the attempt to develop clonal
varieties. Very little progress was done on the core collection to date. A further 20 clones were also
identified from the collection based on field observations for yield during the germplasm review. Several
recommendations are made to test and select good genotypes from the core collection. In light of the
current lack of improved planting materials and need to increase production, 16 clones are being
proposed for distribution to farmers on a provisional basis. The clones will be removed once better clones
are selected after field testing and evaluation. Recommendations for distribution of the clones are also
given to ensure accessibility by farmers.

Fiji

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Major efforts were initiated to establish cocoa as a smallholder crop for inter planting with coconuts in
the 1960s. Part of reason for encouraging cocoa in the rural areas of Fiji was to reduce urban drift. Large
areas of cocoa plantings were established under the GOF development plan phase 7 to 9 through the
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries Forest and Sugar. Cocoa production reached its all-time high in 1987
peaking to 468 tonnes. Unfortunately production could not be sustained beyond 1987. Most of the areas
established with cocoa have regressed largely due to lack of support and resource constraints.

Most of the cocoa beans produced in the past were absorbed by Kokosiga Ltd which processed and sold
to overseas markets as cocoa paste (liquor). Unfortunately, markets were subsequently lost as Kokosiga
lost its overseas markets due to labelling issues. Limited cocoa production is currently being done in Ra,
Matasawalevu, Namau, Vanuavou and Namuivoivoi. Cocoa produced in Ra and Namau are sold as dry
fermented beans to SaiYee Foods Limited in Suva. Vanuavou and Namuivoivoi plantations supply beans
to Naidi for processing into cocoa paste. Good quality beans are being supplied to both markets but in
very limited quantities. The low bean supply to Naidi is currently limiting the supply of chocolate to its
niche markets.

Cocoa has the potential to make significant improvements to farmer income in rural Fiji communities.
For that to be realised, current constraints limiting production must be improved. Poor existing
infrastructure, equipment and low farm yields must be addressed. In the past most of the effort to
encourage cocoa was on production other than quality and marketing aspects. This proved to be
unsustainable as reflected in the declined in area and supply. Therefore efforts to encourage and improve
cocoa in Fiji and any other Pacific island countries should take a full approach to the cocoa value chain.

Good planting materials coupled with good management can significantly improve production at farm
level. Fiji currently has two research stations in Nadroloulou and Wainigata which are known to contain
several cocoa collections. Potential materials from the collections can be selected for further testing and
release to farmers. Clonal materials are highly recommended. During the cocoa germplasm review the
collection at Nadroloulou was visited. The available genetic materials in the collection can be categorized
into three main groups as local selections, PNG selections and other introduced clones classified as
Miami and Classical selections. The existing genetic materials at Nadroloulou present two opportunities
for Fiji to supply good genetic materials. Six of the existing PNG clones at Nadroloulou can be used to
produce hybrid seeds for distribution to farmers. However, this should be justified by on farm
performance of the hybrids and demand for planting material. The other highly recommended option is
to use clones. A good range of clones are available at Nadroloulou which can be selected. Potential
clones should be identified and tested before release to farmers.

Currently there are no recommended clones for distribution to farmers in Fiji. Since testing and selection
will take time an interim list of clones is being proposed. A total of 16 clones are proposed based on
writers experience with some of the clones. Local clones among the group are selected for adaptability
and pod value. The clones are proposed on provisional basis and should be removed once better clones
are identified. The group consists of 12 trintarios and 4 forasteros. Deployments to farmers can be done
based on market. Should the FF market be targeted, the trinitario varieties can be deployed. However,
good possibilities lie with the single origin and organic markets. These markets are not variety specific
and can take either trinitario or forastero cocoa. Discussions and recommendations for selection, testing
and deployment of genetic material available at Nadroloulou are given.

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Review of Cocoa Genetic Resources Available in Samoa, Fiji and Vanuatu for Selection and
Distribution to Farmers.

WESTERN SAMOA

Background
Cocoa is a culturally significant crop in Samoa for its use in the production of “Koko Samoa “a hot
beverage consumed both locally and internationally by Samoans living abroad. Cultivation of cocoa in
Samoa dates back to 1883 when Trinitario cocoa types were introduced by German planters.
Production in Samoa peaked in the 1960s with record volumes of well over 5,000 tons during the early
part of that century. During the 1970s export production began to decline and became more rapid late in
the late 1980s. Much of the production decline is attributed to a wide range of contributing factors.

Major constraints contributing to the market decline of cocoa exports in Samoa are highlighted in the
McGregor report (2004) and Bayer report (2011). The constraints are manifold but most obvious ones
include; down turn in cocoa prices, an inefficient commodity board, breakup of large plantation holdings,
poor government incentives, inadequate research and extension, low quality processing and storage, lack
of replanting and improve planting materials and devastations by cyclones Ofa and Val in the 1990s.
These constraints present a huge challenge for the government and other stakeholder should the cocoa
industry be revitalised in Samoa. Currently cocoa is grown by small holders either as a mono crop or in
mixed farming low input systems (McGregor 2004).

The Trinitario germplasm in Samoa earned the country its reputation as an exclusive producer of “fine or
flavoured cocoa” in the past. Cocoa produced and exported prior to the 1980s was derived from Trinitario
cocoa. Large plantation estates accounted for around 60 per cent (%) of the production while small
holders contributed 40 per cent (%). To date production has declined very significantly both by volume
and area with current volume estimated around 500kg (Bayer 2011). Most of the cocoa produced is used
for the production of Koko Samoa which still commands a high preference for Trinitario cocoa over
Amalanado cocoa (pers. com CEO MoA).

The market for “Koko Samoa” under the current circumstances is unlikely to boost any increase of
production in Samoa. Renewed interest in revitalising the cocoa industry in Samoa began in the 1980s
with the Implementation of phase 1and 2 of the “Cocoa Rehabilitation and Development project. The
Cocoa Suspensory Loan Scheme introduced by New Zealand government, Stimulus Package introduced
by Ministry of Agriculture are part and partial of the efforts aimed at revitalising the cocoa industry.

The current ACIAR project, “Rehabilitating Cocoa for Improved Livelihoods in the Pacific” also aims to
improve and contribute to cocoa in Samoa through an all-inclusive approach. The project is package to
address important issues along the cocoa value chain starting from production to marketing. The ultimate
goal is to make cocoa an additional and profitable source of income for rural communities in the
pacific. This report will briefly describe available cocoa germplasm in Samoa, means of dissemination
and opportunities for high value markets. The format of the report is dictated by the Terms of References
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TOR 1: What Genetic Resources are currently Available in National Collections-Samoa.
Cocoa production in Samoa for a long time was based on open pollinated Trinitario cocoa. It was not
until the 1980s that Amalanado cocoa was introduced into Samoa from the Solomons. The distribution of
Amalando cocoa in the 1980s was aimed at improving the declining yields of existing Trinitario
plantings. A survey conducted in Savaii by MoA’s Crop Division 2003 showed 74 per cent (%) of
respondent growing Trinitario while remaining 26 per cent (%) grow both. Although this gives some
indication, a full survey may need to be conducted. This should provide a clear picture of cocoa in Samoa
in terms of the type and proportion of planting materials grown by farmers. Open pollinated mixed
hybrids of Amalanado and Trinitario are also expected.

1.1 National Collection

The Newton report (1981) indicates that several collections were established at Nu’u Research Centre in
the 1980s. This includes several local Trinitario selections, selected Amalanando cocoa and introduced
clones from Papua New Guinea. During the visit to Samoa it was not possible to make a full assessment
of the collection due to time limitations. The situation surrounding the collection was also unclear. The
collection was not maintained after it was affected by the cyclones in the 1990s. Records from the
collection including maps could not be made available (pers com. Fania). Mr Tuilima Laita from cocoa
private sector who was formerly involved in the Nu’u cocoa project also confirmed the unavailability of
collection records. It is a matter of urgency that the maps and records be made available for proper
identification of the cocoa materials in the collection. Until and unless that is done not much progress can
be achieved in the identification of genetic resources available in the collection at Nu’u Research Center.

Several clones from Papua New Guinea were also introduced into Samoa after quarantine in Australia in
the 1980s. The Papua New Guinea materials included eight trinitario clones (K20, K24-106, K82, KA2-
101, K13, K20, KA2-106, KA5-201) and three Upper Amazonian clones (KEE 2, KEE 5 and KEE 52).
The extent to which the Papua New Guinea clones were used in Samoa after their introduction is not
quite known. However, depending on their availability, the PNG introductions could be an important
source of germplasm to utilize in Samoa.

1.2 Local Trinitario Selections

The Trinitario germplasm in Samoa is an important source of locally adapted genetic materials. It
contains populations which were exposed to various environmental constraints for a long time with
surviving genotypes developed through natural selection. Useful genotypes can be identified for further
testing and selection. Selected materials can be used to improve production and re-establish Samoa’s
status as an “exclusive” producer of “fine flavour” cocoa. Furthermore, selected material can be used as
the basis for further improvement of the Trinitario germplasm to develop elite clones to target other high
value niche markets. Unfortunately, the trinitario populations are fast disappearing as a result of aging
and senile trees and also the decline in area under cocoa cultivation.
Therefore it is very important and urgent to select, collect and conserve very useful genetic
materials from the remaining Trinitario populations.

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At the time of the visit to Samoa emphasis was placed on identifying potential genotypes among the
trinitario populations to select for future use (expressed by CEO MoA). Several farms in Savaii and
Upolu were visited based on local knowledge of the Ministry of Agriculture Crop Division staff. Most
farms were visited in Savaii due to the higher number of trinitario populations available on the island.
During the farm visits several clones were identified and selected. Selection of potential genotypes from
the farms was based on assessments of the following;

 Farmer knowledge of the trees (productive trees)

 Number of pods on trees (physical presence of many pods-more than 30 pods)
 Pod size
 Presence of viable flower cushions
 Low incidence of black pod
 Special trees(good structure, special pods, erect and upright stature)

Each genotype was given an identification number bearing the collection site and number of genotypes
collected per site. Morphological characteristics of identified genotypes were also recorded. A total of
129 genotypes were selected, 87 of which were selected from Savaii and 42 from Upolu. The following
morphological characters were recorded for the identified genotypes.
 Pod Colour
 Pod Length(mm)
 Pod Width(mm
 Pod Thickness(mm)
 No of Beans (30-60 beans)
 Bean Size (Big, Small)
 Bean Colour(White, Yellowish, Mosaic, Pink, Purple, Dark Purple)
 Tree Type (Criollo,Trinitario, Amalanado)
 Potential tree vigour(Big, Intermediate, Small)

Cocoa is usually cross pollinated and genetically heterozygous, Trinitario in particular with very variable
populations. The trinitario germplasm has existed in Samoa for more than 120 years. Local
environmental adaptability of the germplasm has been overlooked in the recent past in attempts to
improve/increase cocoa production. Useful genotypes which can be used to take the first step in
improving production are available in farmer fields. These are identifiable by farmers themselves.

1.2.1 Collection and Evaluation of Local Trinitario Selections

It is important that the identified genotypes be collected from cocoa farms in Savaii and Upolu for further
evaluations. Two collection plots are proposed to be established, one in Savaii and the other in Upolu at
the Nu’u Research Centre. In Savaii any of the Ministry of Agriculture Crops Division centres can be
used to establish the collections. However, depending on available land at Nu’u, the full collection (129
clones) can be established at the research centre. The following activities are recommended for the
trinitario materials to be brought from the farms for further evaluation.

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 1) Re-tag and Clearly mark selected genotypes in Savaii and Upolu (Use GPS to plot and collect
more if possible)
2) Prune selected (marked) trees to induced new growth for bud wood collection in 2-3 months.
3) Raise root stock seedlings to bud-graft the selected genotypes. Budding should be done 3-4
months after sowing or when the root stock is 4-6mm thick. Any of the MoA Crops nursery at
SAVAII and UPOLU can be used.
4) Identify collection sites in SAVAII and UPOLU to field plant the grafted seedlings. Identified
area should be about 0.6 - 1.0 hectare. Shade trees should be established at 4x4 spacing using
glyricidia sepium or fruit trees like banana can be used. Bigger spacing should be allowed for
bigger fruit trees.
5) Collect bud-wood (fan branches) from selected genotypes in farmer fields and bud graft root stock
in the nursery. Budding should only be done when root stock is ready. All tags and identities
should be maintained for each genotype from field to nursery.
6) Bud or graft each genotype onto 20 root stock seedlings and maintain in nursery until ready for
field planting (approximately 3-4 months after budding).
7) Select eight (8) best seedlings per genotype and field plant in two rows of 4 trees per clone at
density of 833 trees/ha (4x3m spacing). All clones should be planted in one replication as an
observation plot. Identity of the seedling is important and should be maintained at all times.

The number of genotypes identified in Savaii and Upolu are given in Tables 1a and 1b. Photographs
and morphological characters are given in Appendixes 1 and 2.
Table 1a: Local Selections from SAVAII

No Accession Identification Type No Accession Identificat Type

No Site No ion Site
1 SAT-1 Satolepai Criollo 44 FAL-6 Falealupo Trinitario
2 SAT-2 Satolepai Trinitario 45 FAL-7 Falealupo Trinitario
3 SAT-3 Satolepai Trinitario 46 FAL-8 Falealupo Trinitario
4 SAT-4 Satolepai Trinitario 48 FAL-10 Falealupo Mix Hybrid
5 SAT-5 Satolepai Trinitario 49 SAL -1 Salelonga Trinitario
6 AWA-1 Awala Trinitario 50 SAL -2 Salelonga Mix hybrid
7 AWA-2 Awala Trinitario 51 TAF-1 Tafua Trinitario
8 AWA-3 Awala Trinitario 52 TAF-2 Tafua Trinitario
9 AWA-4 Awala Trinitario 53 TAF-3 Tafua Trinitario
10 AWA-5 Awala Trinitario 54 TAF-4 Tafua Trinitario
11 AWA-6 Awala Trinitario 55 TAF-5 Tafua Trinitario
12 AWA-7 Awala Trinitario 56 TAF-6 Tafua Trinitario
13 AWA-8 Awala Trinitario 57 TAF-7 Tafua Trinitario
14 PAS-1 Papa Sataua Trinitario 58 TAF-8 Tafua Trinitario
15 PAS-2 Papa Sataua Trinitario 59 TAF-9 Tafua Trinitario
16 PAS-3 Papa Sataua Trinitario 60 TAF-10 Tafua Trinitario
17 PAS-4 Papa Sataua Trinitario 61 TAF-11 Tafua Trinitario
18 PAS-5 Papa Sataua Trinitario 62 TAF-12 Tafua Trinitario
19 PAS-6 Papa Sataua Trinitario 63 TAF-13 Tafua Trinitario
20 PAS-7 Papa Sataua Crillo 64 TAF-14 Tafua Trinitario
21 PAS-8 Papa Sataua Trinitario 65 TAF-15 Tafua Trinitario
22 PAS-9 Papa Sataua Trinitario 66 TAF-16 Tafua Trinitario
23 PAS-10 Papa Sataua Trinitario 67 TAF-17 Tafua Trinitario
24 PAS-11 Papa Sataua Trinitario 68 VAS-1 Vaisala Trinitario

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 25 PAS-12 Papa Sataua Trinitario 69 VAS-2 Vaisala Trinitario
26 PAS-13 Papa Sataua Trinitario 70 VAS-3 Vaisala Trinitario
27 PAS-14 Papa Sataua Trinitario 71 VAS-4 Vaisala Trinitario
28 PAS-15 Papa Sataua Trinitario 72 VAS-5 Vaisala Trinitario
29 PAS-16 Papa Sataua Trinitario 73 VAS-6 Vaisala Trinitario
30 PAS-17 Papa Sataua Criollo 74 VAS-7 Vaisala Trinitario
31 PAS-18 Papa Sataua Criollo 75 VAS-8 Vaisala Trinitario
32 PAS-19 Papa Sataua Trinitario 76 VAS-9 Vaisala Trinitario
33 PAS-20 Papa Sataua Trinitario 77 VAS-10 Vaisala Trinitario
34 PAS-21 Papa Sataua Trinitario 78 VAS-11 Vaisala Trinitario
35 PAS-22 Papa Sataua Trinitario 79 VAS-12 Vaisala Trinitario
36 PAS-23 Papa Sataua Trinitario 80 VAS-13 Vaisala Trinitario
37 PAS-24 Papa Sataua Criollo 81 VAS-14 Vaisala Trinitario
38 PAS-25 Papa Sataua Trinitario 82 VAS-15 Vaisala Trinitario
39 FAL-1 Falealupo Mix Hybrid 83 VAS-16 Vaisala Trinitario
40 FAL-2 Falealupo Trinitario 84 VAS-17 Vaisala Trinitario
41 FAL-3 Falealupo Trinitario 85 VAS-18 Vaisala Trinitario
42 FAL-4 Falealupo Trinitario 86 VAS-19 Vaisala Trinitario
43 FAL-5 Falealupo Trinitario 87 VAS-20 Vaisala Trinitario
C= Criollo, T=Trinitario, MH = Mixed hybrid.

Table 1b: Local Selections from UPOLU

No Accession Identification Type No Accession Identificat Type
No Site No ion site
88 VAI-1 Vaipoto Trinitario 109 VAI-22 Vaipoto Trinitario
89 VAI-2 Vaipoto Mix hybrid 110 VAI-23 Vaipoto Trinitario
90 VAI-3 Vaipoto Trinitario 111 VAI-24 Vaipoto Trinitario
91 VAI-4 Vaipoto Trinitario 112 VAI-25 Vaipoto Trinitario
92 VAI-5 Vaipoto Trinitario 113 VAI-26 Vaipoto Trinitario
93 VAI-6 Vaipoto Trinitario 114 VAI-27 Vaipoto Trinitario
94 VAI-7 Vaipoto Trinitario 115 VAI-28 Vaipoto Trinitario
95 VAI-8 Vaipoto Trinitario 116 VAI-29 Vaipoto Trinitario
96 VAI-9 Vaipoto Trinitario 117 VAI-30 Vaipoto Trinitario
97 VAI-10 Vaipoto Trinitario 118 VAI-31 Vaipoto Trinitario
98 VAI-11 Vaipoto Trinitario 119 VAI-32 Vaipoto Trinitario
99 VAI-12 Vaipoto Trinitario 120 VAI-33 Vaipoto Trinitario
100 VAI-13 Vaipoto Trinitario 121 VAI-34 Vaipoto Trinitario
101 VAI-14 Vaipoto Trinitario 122 VAI-35 Vaipoto Trinitario
102 VAI-15 Vaipoto Mix hybrid 123 VAI-36 Vaipoto Trinitario
103 VAI-16 Vaipoto Trinitario 124 VAL-1 Vailoa Trinitario
104 VAI-17 Vaipoto Trinitario 125 VAL-2 Vailoa Trinitario
105 VAI-18 Vaipoto Trinitario 126 VAL-3 Vailoa Trinitario
106 VAI-19 Vaipoto Trinitario 127 VAL-4 Vailoa Trinitario
107 VAI-20 Vaipoto Trinitario 128 VAL-5 Vailoa Trinitario
108 VAI-21 Vaipoto Trinitario 129 VAL-6 Vailoa Trinitario
C= Criollo, T=Trinitario, MH = Mixed hybrid.

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TOR 2: How can these resources be best deployed to smallholders to meet current industry needs.
The Trinitario and Amalanado germpalsms are both available in Samoa. Current indications show that
cocoa plantings in Samoa is still predominantly Trinitario although acreage has significantly reduced.
Most of the cocoa is propagated through unselected open pollinated seeds from domestic gardens and
other small holder plots. The industry in Samoa to a large extent is informal and centred around the
production of Koko Samoa - the national beverage. This could possibly change with the emergence of
private sector companies such the Cocoa Samoa Ltd with its far reaching approach to cocoa in Samoa.
The company is yet to firmly establish however, it aims to drive an industry with production based on
Triniario cocoa. Cocoa Samoa Ltd could be the vehicle to drive the industry in Samoa provided it can be
supported well by the government. High value market opportunities exist for Samoan cocoa. In any case,
cocoa production will need to increase and quality standards have to meet market requirements. In light
of the genetic resources documented in TOR 1 mobilisation and deployment is addressed respectively.

2.1: National Collection

The national collection at Nu’u Research centre was established during the 1980s under the Cocoa
Rehabilitation Project (pers. com Laiti). Due to lack of maintenance and the dual cyclone effects in the
90s records for the collection have not been easily accessible. Although the number of accessions in the
collection is not known the collection contains important and useful genetic materials that could be
selected for distribution to farmers. According to the Newton report (1981) several local Trinitario
selections including LAFI-7 were tested in shade and density trials. Some of these materials were
established in the collection. These are potential materials (if available) that can be selected for further
evaluation and distribution to farmers. Other introduced clones in the collection can also be selected.
Proper records including site maps and information for identification of the genetic materials available in
the collection at Nu’u is an important priority for MoA Crops Division. Available data would be required
to substantiate initial selection for closer evaluation. In the absence of available data, field selections can
be done using a similar approach to that used in the selection of local Trinitario clones from farmer fields.

The following activities are proposed for selection and evaluation of potential materials from the
Collection at Nu’u (refer appendix 3). They are proposed in a systematic order.
1) Rehabilitation of the Collection by Pruning. Year 1
2) Identify potential genotypes from Collection Year 2
3) Assess for yield components of selected genotypes (existing trees) Year 2
4) Select genotypes for on-farm testing (20-30 clones) Year 2
5) Bud and establish clones in 4-5 on farm testing sites. Year 3
6) Evaluate the clones for 4-5 years
7) Summarised data and select the best clones for release to farmers Year 8
8) Establish nurseries and bud wood gardens for selected clones in
central locations in Samoa Year 8
9) Raise budded clonal materials in central nurseries for distribution. Year 9
10) Distribute to farmers. Year 9

13
2.2: Local Trinitario Selections.
The local trinitario cocoa identified and selected (Tables 1a,1b) during the short trip are an important
source of locally adapted germplasm. It is urgent to identify and collect the trinitario because the
populations have decreased significantly over the years and would be very unfortunate to lose the
germplasm. In addition, the few surviving populations could contain very useful genetic materials. Also,
in the absence of improved materials these could form the basis for improvement and selection of locally
adapted genetic materials. Most selections were done in Savaii due to the larger trinitario populations
available. There is still a need to do few more selections in some of the large trinitario farms.

For evaluation of the presently identified genotypes it is important to firstly bring the materials out of
farmer fields for testing as recommended under section 1.2.1 of TOR 1. At this stage it is not possible to
recommend intensive use of any of the identified materials as further evaluation is required before final
selections can be made. Further to the establishment of Trinitario clones in the observation plots (section
1.2.1), the following parameters must be assessed;

1) Precocity or bearing earliness

2) Production potential (record number of ripe pods on a two weekly basis)
3) Yield components (Pod weight, Wet bean weight, Dry bean weight)
4) Levels of resistance to major diseases (black pod etc)
5) Levels of resistance /tolerance to insects.
6) Butterfat content of promising clones (if possible)
7) Shell content of clones (%)

Several other parameters should be considered in addition to the above

1) Successful budding, growth habit and vigour
2) Self and cross compatibility
3) Yield distribution
4) Pod and bean characteristics (some already done)

2.3: Strategy for Deployment of Selected genetic materials

Final selection of clones from national cocoa collection (2.1) and Trinitario clones identified (2.2) will
take some time before they can be officially made available. Due to the unavailability of data from the
national collection at Nu’u not much can be done to fast track the selection of few clones for provisional
release. It is also not known if there were any clones officially release to farmers in Samoa in the past
apart from the Amalanado hybrids. If there were any, they could still be used to distribute to farmers in
Samoa during the interim. Once clones are selected after evaluation a proper distribution strategy is
needed to ensure better accessibility of the planting materials by farmers.

Samoa is made up of two main islands of Savaii and Upolu. Much of the cocoa planting is concentrated
in Savaii. The distribution strategy for selected planting material will have to take into consideration the
sites and concentration of farmers. Major cocoa producing areas like the Vaisigano district in Savaii and
distant farming communities should be considered.

14
The main purpose of extending cocoa nurseries in Samoa is to ensure that quality (selected) cocoa
planting materials are made easily accessible to farmers. Farmers within and in the nearby communities
should be encourage to take advantage of the nurseries through various arrangements. Seedlings can be
subsidised or a similar arrangement to the “stimulus package” where farmers register for certain amount
of seedlings can be organised. Farmer cooperatives, NGO groups like Women in Business and Private
Sector partners should be encouraged to operate the nurseries

The following is being recommended as part of the distribution strategy for selected clones;

 Establish main cocoa bud wood garden for selected clones at Nu’u research centre. Depending on
how many clones are selected try to plant 10-15 trees per clone in single rows. Bud wood from
selected cocoa should be used to supply nurseries in Upolu or Savaii.
 Identify centralised and strategic locations for establishment of onsite nurseries and bud wood
gardens in Savaii and Upolu. Establish onsite nurseries and prepare site for bud wood garden.
 Raise root stock in the nursery for budding. Acquire bud wood for selected clones in Nu’u to bud
root stock in on site nurseries. Bud enough seedling to establish about 10 trees of each selected
clones in the bud wood garden. Field plant the clones in single rows of 10 trees in the bud wood
garden.
 Conduct onsite farmer training on bud grafting using the different techniques available. Identify
potential budders during training. Deploy 2-3 budders to respective onsite nurseries to do budding
on a full time basis. The nurseries should be operated on a semi commercial or commercial basis.
 Raise root stock for budding once clones in bud wood garden start producing sufficient branches to
harvest bud wood. Bud clones and distribute to farmers in the respective locations.
 Farmers who are familiar with budding can be supplied with bud sticks to do own budding on their
farms.

It is not known if the some Samoan farmers are familiar with the bud grafting techniques. Some of the
MoA staff working on trees crops at Nu’u are quite familiar with the technique and could easily train
farmers. Bud grafting techniques including side, top and chupon grafting can be demonstrated to farmers
to adopt.

2.4. Improving current farm yield

As mentioned earlier, evaluation and selection process will take some time before clones can be made
available to farmers. However, it may be possible to make considerable improvements to current farm
yields by rehabilitating existing cocoa stands. During the visit it was obvious that some of the cocoa
stands were aging and most of the farms had not been rehabilitated in years. The experience of Dr Konam
would be required in this area. The current cocoa yields can be improved considerably if proper
rehabilitation can be carried out in the farms by engaging in proper pruning and improving tree health.
Rehabilitation training should be done in collaboration with MoA crops and private sector partners for
further extension in Samoa.

15
As part of the rehabilitation exercise farmers should be encourage to select their best trees to clone and
replace unproductive, old and diseased trees. Training on bud grafting is important as they can use the
technique to multiply the best trees available on farm either by chupon budding or budding new
seedlings. However it highly recommended to use more than one genotype in the farms to avoid self-
incompatibility and genetic vulnerability to diseases. This exercise can be done for other farms in
Samoa but clone selected on farm should be strictly used in the respective farms. Some of the clones
identified in tables 1a and 1b can already be used in the farms from which they were selected from.
Experience in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea using this approach shows that considerable
gains in production can be made by proper rehabilitation and management. An illustration for the use of
good on trees available on farm is given in figure 1

Figure 1: Rehabilitation by using good trees available on farm.

Select good productive trees from Raise root stock for budding in or near
farm (6 -12 trees) and prune to the cocoa farm and maintain until ready
induce new growth. for budding (3-4months)

Prune all trees in the farm and Harvest bud wood or bud sticks from
remove old, diseased and selected trees and bud graft on to 3-4
unproductive trees. Tag also any month old seedlings.
open spaces for infilling.

Replace the old, diseased and Maintain good production through good
unproductive trees by field planting management and regular pruning of new
or infilling with clonal seedlings and existing trees in the farm
grafted from good productive trees.
genotypes.

TOR 3: How can these resources be deployed to help smallholders develop high-value markets?
Cocoa was an important industry in Samoa during the 1960s and 70s prior to the rapid decline in export
volumes. The constraints highlighted in the reports by Macgregor (2004) and Bayer (2011) will continue
to defeat initiatives and programs taken to revive and revitalise the cocoa industry in Samoa. As a starting
point considerable effort needs to be directed at improving production at farm level in order to meet
expected targets. Market incentives need to be good in order to create the interest and felt need to be able
to produce more cocoa. Currently, cocoa production is largely confined to production of local products
and informal export of cocoa paste for consumption of Koko Samoa. However, opportunities in the high
“value niche markets exist for the cocoa industry in Samoa. Cocoa prices have remained relatively stable
for well over 10 years with global consumption forecasted to rise by 25 per cent (%) in the next eight
years (Golgowski 2012).

16
 The residual reputation that Samoa maintains as producer of “fine or flavour” cocoa presents an
opportunity for Samoa to re-enter the FF cocoa market provided sufficient volumes are achieved and
quality is assured. Other possibilities for Samoa in the high value markets include the single origin
chocolate, fair trade and organic cocoa markets. These high value markets are briefly described.

3.1: Fine flavour cocoa market.

The world cocoa market distinguishes between two broad categories of cocoa beans as “fine or
flavoured” cocoa beans or “bulk” or “ordinary” cocoa beans (ICCO 2008). Generally, fine flavoured
cocoa beans are produced from Criollo and Trinitario cocoa types. Bulk cocoa is produced from
Forastero varieties which include the Amalanado and Amazonian cocoa types. The trinitario cocoa types
in Samoa are known for their inherent “fine flavoured” characteristics embedded in the beans which had
them highly sought after in the past. The market for fine flavour cocoa is generally regarded as relatively
small, highly specialised market, with its own supply and demand characteristics. Price premiums for FF
cocoa range from USD100 to USD400 per ton and can be high as USD1,000 (McGregor report 2004).
Only few countries are gazetted under the ICCO 2001 agreement as producers of FF cocoa either
“exclusively” or “not exclusively”. Under the agreement Samoa is classified as an exclusive producer of
FF cocoa. Should the efforts to improve cocoa production materialise and quality ascertained, Samoa
could be better placed to re-enter the FF cocoa market. Cocoa production would have to be strictly based
on the Trinitario cocoa varieties.

3.2: Single origin chocolate market.

It is argued by specialists that chocolate has varied tastes and such tastes depend upon where it is grown.
The single origin markets are established on that basis and markets are growing for other crops also apart
from cocoa. Single origin chocolate promotes chocolate made from beans from one region or sometimes
from one farm. Traceability is important to single origin chocolate markets as they are often paired with
the concept of organic growing conditions and good labour working conditions. One main benefit to
single origin chocolate is that people know exactly where the chocolate they are eating is produced. Some
companies have used single origin chocolate for years and are likely to continue as the market continues
to grow. The once highly rated Samoan trinitario beans could be better placed for the single origin
market as well.

3.3: Organic cocoa market.

The organic cocoa market by world standards is low at about 0.5 per cent (%) of the total cocoa
production. Around 80 per cent (%) of certified organic cocoa is supplied from Latin America. The
remaining 20 per cent (%) is supplied from Africa and the Asia Pacific. Organic certified cocoa beans
demand a price premium of 10-50 per cent (%) above conventional cocoa beans depending on the quality.
The annual market growth for organic cocoa is estimated around 10-15 per cent (%) and is expected to
grow significantly in coming years (McGregor 2004). Currently there are 11 certified organic cocoa
farms in Samoa that could possibly supply the organic cocoa market. None of the cocoa farms is
supplying cocoa to the organic cocoa market. As there are no restriction to the cocoa types and varieties,
this market avenue presents an opportunity for Samoan cocoa. Major lesson and experience can be
fostered for Samoa through linkages with the Vanuatu Cocoa Growers Association.

17
3.4: Fair trade cocoa market
Fair trade cocoa prices are calculated on the basis of world cocoa price plus fair trade premiums. The
markets are similar to organic markets and are often complementary. The market growth in North
America is relatively higher than Europe. Annual market growth in Europe is about 30 per cent (%) with
48 per cent (%) of the fair trade cocoa imported to Europe certified organic. In North America the annual
market growth is around 83 per cent (%) with 90 per cent (%) of fair trade cocoa imported into North
America certified organic. Fair trade seeks to improve greater equity in the international trade. Producer
certification may be expensive as producers must meet and comply with various requirements related to
labour, social, economic and environmental developments. Most individual farmers can’t afford this
unless they organise themselves into corporative groups. The formation of corporatives also helps in
standardising quality to ensure and maintain market confidence. Women in Business are better placed
with their experience to introduce Fair trade to the cocoa industry. Cocoa Samoa Limited endeavours to
process organic, sustainable and fair trade products under its business plan. Bean exports from the
company commenced in April 2012. They can also play a facilitating role in the introduction of Fair trade
to the cocoa industry as well.

The above market opportunities are all available to the cocoa industry in Samoa. The “fine flavour”
market is the only variety specific market based on Trinitario and Criollo cocoa types. The Organic and
Single origin markets could also be real possibilities for Samoa. However, production needs to increase
and quality ascertain in order to impact on the market. This may not be possible as individuals since
certification can be expensive. Collectively market quantity and quality can be addressed through the
formation of corporatives or farmer groups. Experience can be sought from VOCGA in Vanuatu for high
value markets. Government of Samoa should support and sanction the private sector to take lead on the
industry in Samoa.

4.0 General Conclusion

Cocoa production in Samoa will continue to decline despite the existence of “high value niche” market
opportunities. Therefore it is imperative that a proper strategy be mapped out to pave way forward for the
industry if is to be successfully revitalised. McGregor (2004) and Bayer (2011) highlighted important and
critical issues that have been or will continue to be impediments to the cocoa industry in Samoa. The
current cocoa demand for production of Koko Samoa is also unlikely to stimulate any major rehabilitation
and replanting of cocoa by farmers. The “Stimulus Package” recently introduced by the Ministry of
Agriculture to some extent aims to stimulate cocoa production in Samoa. Impact is yet to be realised.
However, without major intervention from government and other stakeholders cocoa production is likely
to remain low. The approach in the current ACIAR project in linking all players in the cocoa value chain
from farm to market makes the value chain complete. Support from government and private sector
partners in Samoa will greatly enhance this initiative. The government should support the private sector
to play a leading role in the industry to ensure success and sustainability. Cocoa Samoa Ltd has taken the
initiative and should be supported well to play a lead role in the cocoa industry in Samoa.

18
Appendix 1

Profile 1: Savaii Collection

SAT-1 SAT-3
SAT-2

SAT-4 SAT-5

19
20
21
22
Appendix 2: Morphological Characteristics of Identified Trinitario from Farmer fields

Pod Bean
No Accession Pod Pod Width No of Bean Size Pod Vigour Type Date Site Farmer
Length Thick
  No Colour (cm) (mm) Beans Clour   (mm)          

1 SAT-1 green 18.0 83.9 28 white med 22.8 big C 6/14/2012 Satolepai Mataia Sue

2 SAT-2 red 17.0 66.7 32 mixed big 17.0 inter T 6/14/2012 Satolepai Mataia Sue

3 SAT-3 red 19.0 71.2 35 mixed small 18.5 small T 6/14/2012 Satolepai Mataia Sue

4 SAT-4 red 16.0 59.8 34 mixed small 15.7 small T 6/14/2012 Satolepai Mataia Sue

5 SAT-5 red 17.0 100.0 34 mixed med 18.9 inter T 6/14/2012 Satolepai Mataia Sue

6 AWA-1 green 16.0 94.0 35 mixed med 18.4 inter T 6/14/2012 Awala Moetu Toetu

7 AWA-2 green 14.0 64.9 30 mixed med 13.5 inter T 6/14/2012 Awala Moetu Toetu

8 AWA-3 green 17.0 101.4 34 mixed med 19.4 inter T 6/14/2012 Awala Moetu Toetu

9 AWA-4 green 17.0 99.7 34 mixed med 19.4 inter T 6/14/2012 Awala Moetu Toetu

10 AWA-5 green 17.0 86.8 37 mixed big 15.8 inter T 6/14/2012 Awala Moetu Toetu

11 AWA-6 green 13.0 78.4 25 mixed med 14.3 small T 6/14/2012 Awala Moetu Toetu

12 AWA-7 green 16.0 83.1 36 mixed med 17.7 small T 6/14/2012 Awala Moetu Toetu

13 AWA-8 green 15.0 71.1 34 purple small 13.4 small MH 6/14/2012 Awala Moetu Toetu

14 PAS-1 red 19.0 83.5 - - - - small T 6/14/2012 Papa Sataua Suega Iakopo

15 PAS-2 red 17.0 82.2 36 mixed med 14.3 small T 6/14/2012 Papa Sataua Suega Iakopo

16 PAS-3 red 20.0 87.7 - - - - small T 6/14/2012 Papa Sataua Suega Iakopo

17 PAS-4 green - - - - - - small T 6/14/2012 Papa Sataua Suega Iakopo

18 PAS-5 red 21.0 97.8 39 mixed big 24.0 small T 6/14/2012 Papa Sataua Suega Iakopo

19 PAS-6 red/green 17.0 97.8 - - - - small T 6/14/2012 Papa Sataua Suega Iakopo

20 PAS-7 green 17.0 75.9 28 mixed med 12.5 small C 6/14/2012 Papa Sataua Suega Iakopo

21 PAS-8 green 19.0 91.6 38 mixed big 16.1 small T 6/14/2012 Papa Sataua Suega Iakopo

22 PAS-9 green 22.0 87.7 34 mixed big 20.9 small T 6/14/2012 Papa Sataua Suega Iakopo

23 PAS-10 green 14.0 81.0 - - - - small T 6/14/2012 Papa Sataua Suega Iakopo

24 PAS-11 red 16.0 86.8 - - - - small T 6/14/2012 Papa Sataua Suega Iakopo

25 PAS-12 red 15.0 79.6 - - - - small T 6/14/2012 Papa Sataua Suega Iakopo

26 PAS-13 green 19.0 83.1 - - - - small T 6/14/2012 Papa Sataua Suega Iakopo

27 PAS-14 red/green 19.0 92.1 - - - - small T 6/14/2012 Papa Sataua Suega Iakopo

28 PAS-15 red 21.0 76.9 30 mixed big 17.6 small T 6/14/2012 Papa Sataua Suega Iakopo

29 PAS-16 red 20.0 85.3 36 mixed big 18.1 small T 6/14/2012 Papa Sataua Suega Iakopo

23
30 PAS-17 green 15.0 83.3 34 white med 14.2 small C 6/14/2012 Papa Sataua Suega Iakopo

31 PAS-18 red 21.0 92.4 30 white big 14.1 small C 6/14/2012 Papa Sataua Suega Iakopo

32 PAS-19 green 19.0 82.8 34 mixed big 16.5 small T 6/14/2012 Papa Sataua Suega Iakopo

33 PAS-20 red 21.0 91.0 40 mixed big 20.0 small T 6/14/2012 Papa Sataua Suega Iakopo

34 PAS-21 red 16.0 87.0 40 mixed big 16.6 small T 6/14/2012 Papa Sataua Suega Iakopo

35 PAS-22 green 19.0 86.8 44 mixed big 18,7 small T 6/14/2012 Papa Sataua Suega Iakopo

36 PAS-23 green 26.0 106.4 36 mixed big 23.0 small T 6/14/2012 Papa Sataua Suega Iakopo

37 PAS-24 green 19.8 98.1 32 white big 20.0 small C 6/14/2012 Papa Sataua Suega Iakopo

38 PAS-25 red 21.0 83.6 38 mixed med 16.8 small T 6/14/2012 Papa Sataua Suega Iakopo

39 FAL-1 green 20.0 93.3 41 purple med 16.3 inter MH 6/15/2012 Falealupo Seufata Paulo

40 FAL-2 red 21.0 89.0 41 mixed big 18.4 small T 6/15/2012 Falealupo Seufata Paulo

41 FAL-3 red/green 21.0 95.8 45 - med 19.0 small T 6/15/2012 Falealupo Seufata Paulo

42 FAL-4 green 21.0 91.0 48 - med 14.0 small T 6/15/2012 Falealupo Seufata Paulo

43 FAL-5 green 17.0 75.0 32 - med 18.0 small T 6/15/2012 Falealupo Seufata Paulo

44 FAL-6 red 17.0 86.0 40 mixed med 18.0 small T 6/15/2012 Falealupo Seufata Paulo

45 FAL-7 red 21.0 87.0 40 mixed med 18.0 small T 6/15/2012 Falealupo Seufata Paulo

46 FAL-8 red 20.0 93.1 35 mixed big 16.1 small T 6/15/2012 Falealupo Seufata Paulo

47 FAL-9 green 18.0 83.1 35 mixed big 20.0 inter T 6/15/2012 Falealupo Seufata Paulo

48 FAL-10 green 21.0 19.3 38 purple big 20.9 small MH 6/15/2012 Falealupo Seufata Paulo

49 SAL-1 red 15.0 90.0 39 mixed med 19.0 small T 6/16/2012 Salelonga Salu Matamua

50 SAL-2 green 15.0 74.0 31 purple small 18.0 inter MH 6/16/2012 Salelonga Salu Matamua

51 TAF-1 red 26.0 94.0 45 - big 22.0 inter T 6/16/2012 Tafua Solomona Aleni

52 TAF-2 green 18.0 81.0 41 mixed big 15.0 small T 6/16/2012 Tafua Solomona Aleni

53 TAF-3 green 22.0 83.0 40 mixed big 14.0 small T 6/16/2012 Tafua Solomona Aleni

54 TAF-4 red 17.0 67.0 40 mixed med 7.5 inter T 6/16/2012 Tafua Solomona Aleni

55 TAF-5 red 16.0 87.0 45 mixed med 12.0 inter T 6/16/2012 Tafua Solomona Aleni

56 TAF-6 green 18.0 78.0 45 - med 16.8 inter T 6/16/2012 Tafua Solomona Aleni

57 TAF-7 red 17.0 83.4 39 purple med 18.0 small T 6/16/2012 Tafua Solomona Aleni

58 TAF-8 red 19.0 81.0 45 mixed med 17.0 small T 6/16/2012 Tafua Solomona Aleni

59 TAF-9 green 20.0 83.0 45 mixed big 18.0 inter T 6/16/2012 Tafua Solomona Aleni

60 TAF-10 green 22.0 89.0 35 mixed big 17.0 small T 6/16/2012 Tafua Solomona Aleni

61 TAF-11 green 17.0 79.0 40 mixed med 17.0 inter T 6/16/2012 Tafua Solomona Aleni

62 TAF-12 red 22.0 80.0 40 mixed med 17.0 small T 6/16/2012 Tafua Solomona Aleni

63 TAF-13 red 20.0 91.0 45 purple med 18.0 inter T 6/16/2012 Tafua Solomona Aleni
24
64 TAF-14 green 19.0 95.0 45 purple med 22.0 inter T 6/16/2012 Tafua Solomona Aleni

65 TAF-15 green 18.0 90.0 40 purple small 15.0 small T 6/16/2012 Tafua Solomona Aleni

66 TAF-16 green 19.0 89.0 40 mixed small 18.0 small T 6/16/2012 Tafua Solomona Aleni

67 TAF-17 red 17.0 82.0 40 white med 18.0 small T 6/16/2012 Tafua Solomona Aleni

68 VAI-1 green 20.0 90.0 45 white large 16.0 big T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

69 VAI-2 green 18.0 79.0 40 mixed small 15.0 big MH 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

70 VAI-3 green 16.0 86.0 45 mixed small 21.0 big T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

71 VAI-4 red 19.0 91.0 44 mixed med 18.0 big T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

72 VAI-5 green 23.0 84.0 35 mixed med 19.0 big T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

73 VAI-6 green 18.0 76.0 28 mixed med 14.0 big T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

74 VAI-7 red 17.0 77.0 24 mixed med 16.0 big T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

75 VAI-8 green 17.0 71.0 49 mixed med 16.0 big T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

76 VAI-9 red 21.0 83.0 19 mixed med 15.0 big T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

77 VAI-10 green 22.0 87.0 49 mixed med 23.0 big T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

78 VAI-11 green 21.0 99.0 45 mixed large 18.0 big T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

79 VAI-12 red 22.0 85.0 50 white large 25.0 big T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

80 VAI-13 red 16.0 78.0 48 mixed large 13.0 big T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

81 VAI-14 green 18.0 94.0 49 mixed med 19.0 inter T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

82 VAI-15 green 20.0 88.0 48 mixed med 18.0 inter MH 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

83 VAI-16 red 20.0 86.0 49 mixed med 15.0 inter T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

84 VAI-17 green 28.0 89.0 55 mixed large 21.0 big T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

85 VAI-18 green 19.0 97.0 40 mixed large 24.0 inter T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

86 VAI-19 red 17.0 86.0 35 mixed large 18.0 big T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

87 VAI-20 red 24.0 94.0 50 mixed large 34.0 big T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

88 VAI-21 red 17.0 75.0 40 mixed small 12.0 big T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

89 VAI-22 green 20.0 85.0 55 mixed large 15.0 inter T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

90 VAI-23 white 18.0 94.0 40 mixed med 17.6 inter T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

91 VAI-24 white 20.0 93.0 45 mixed med 18.0 m t 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

92 VAI-25 green 17.0 83.8 35 mixed med 15,5 small T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

93 VAI-26 green 21.0 96.8 45 mixed big 21.2 small T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

94 VAI-27 red 23.0 95.0 40 white big 21.4 big T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

95 VAI-28 green 20.0 95.0 45 mixed big 20.0 big T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

96 VAI-29 green 21.0 76.0 50 mixed med 15.9 inter T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

97 VAI-30 red 22.0 87.0 48 mixed med 15.0 big T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena
25
98 VAI-31 red 21.0 81.0 48 mixed small 14.0 big T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

99 VAI-32 red 17.0 87.0 35 mixed big 17.0 big T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

100 VAI-33 red 19.0 90.0 45 mixed med 18.0 small T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

101 VAI-34 green 16.0 88.0 48 mixed small 17.0 inter T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

102 VAI-35 red 15.0 95.0 45 mixed big 17.0 inter T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

103 VAI-36 green 16.0 81.0 35 mixed med 19.0 inter T 6/18/2012 Vaipoto Penia Saena

104 VAL-1 red 17.0 71.0 40 mixed small 19.0 small T 6/18/2012 Vailoa Penia Saena

105 VAL-2 red 18.0 78.0 42 mixed big 16.0 small T 6/18/2012 Vailoa Penia Saena

106 VAL-3 green 17.0 82.0 35 mixed med 14.0 small T 6/18/2012 Vailoa Penia Saena

107 VAL-4 red 17.0 75.0 40 mixed med 17.0 small T 6/18/2012 Vailoa Penia Saena

108 VAL-5 red 18.0 81.0 45 mixed med 16.0 small T 6/18/2012 Vailoa Penia Saena

109 VAL-6 green 19.0 65.0 50 mixed med 15.0 inter T 6/18/2012 Vailoa Penia Saena

110 VAS-1 red 19.0 105.0 45 mixed big 23.0 small T 6/18/2012 Vailoa Penia Saena

111 VAS-2 green 20.0 94.0 48 mixed big 22.0 inter T 6/18/2012 Vailoa Penia Saena

112 VAS-3 red 22.0 104.0 25 mixed big 24.0 small T 6/18/2012 Vailoa Penia Saena

113 VAS-4 white 27.0 96.0 35 white big 20.0 inter T 6/18/2012 Vailoa Penia Saena

114 VAS-5 green 19.0 89.0 45 mixed med 14.0 inter T 6/18/2012 Vailoa Penia Saena

115 VAS-6 green 20.0 105.0 30 white med 23.8 inter T 6/18/2012 Vailoa Penia Saena

116 VAS-7 green 18.0 90.0 40 mixed big 22.0 small T 6/19/2012 Vaisala Kolone Vaii

117 VAS-8 green 22.0 97.0 48 mixed big 20.0 inter T 6/19/2012 Vaisala Kolone Vaii

118 VAS-9 red 27.0 85.0 35 mixed big 26.0 inter T 6/19/2012 Vaisala Kolone Vaii

119 VAS-10 red 26.0 101.0 45 mixed big 21.0 small T 6/19/2012 Vaisala Kolone Vaii

120 VAS-11 red 18.0 87.0 35 mixed med 17.0 inter T 6/19/2012 Vaisala Kolone Vaii

121 VAS-12 green 26.0 87.0 45 mixed med 18.0 inter T 6/19/2012 Vaisala Kolone Vaii

122 VAS-13 white 17.0 92.0 35 mixed small 19.0 inter T 6/19/2012 Vaisala Kolone Vaii

123 VAS-14 green 16.0 83.0 35 mixed med 19.0 inter T 6/19/2012 Vaisala Kolone Vaii

124 VAS-15 green 17.0 84.0 40 mixed med 16.0 big T 6/19/2012 Vaisala Kolone Vaii

125 VAS-16 green 22.0 90.0 45 mixed med 22.0 inter T 6/19/2012 Vaisala Kolone Vaii

126 VAS-17 red 18.0 92.0 45 mixed big 18.0 inter T 6/19/2012 Vaisala Kolone Vaii

127 VAS-18 red 21.0 82.0 40 white big 17.0 small T 6/19/2012 Vaisala Kolone Vaii

128 VAS-19 red 19.0 83.0 40 mixed med 21.0 inter T 6/19/2012 Vaisala Kolone Vaii

129 VAS-20 green 21.0 80.0 30 mixed med 15.0 inter T 6/19/2012 Vaisala Kolone Vaii

26
Appendix 3: Strategy for Identification and Selection of Materials from Collection at Nu’u.

Rehabilitation of Collection

Identification of potential Genotypes

Yield components Assessments

On farm establishment

On farm Testing and Evaluation

Selection and Release to Farmers

Nursery and Bud wood Garden

Establishment

Budding and Distribution to farmers

27
VANUATU

Background
Vanuatu’s economy is primarily based on agriculture with around 80 per cent (%) of the population
involved in agricultural activities ranging from subsistence farming to semi-commercial farming. Copra,
kava, cocoa and beef account for 60 per cent (%) of the Vanuatu’s total export value. Cocoa production
although regarded as one of the oldest industries, ranks third after copra and kava with around 1000 to
12000 tonnes valued at 240 million vatu. The total volume has been varying between1000 -1200 tonnes
over the last decade. Contrastingly, peak production was reached in the 1930s with a record 2,700 tonnes.
This however could be attributed to cocoa largely being a plantation crop at the time. Significant decline
in production experienced over the years had been largely due to labour shortage and higher returns
offered by other crops such as copra.

Cocoa production shifted from a large holder to small holder based cash crop in the 1950s and 1960s.
Today cocoa production continues to sustain the livelihood of 34 per cent (%) of the rural households in
Vanuatu. According to the FAO, VOCGA case study report (2009), the Vanuatu cocoa industry is
concentrated in three provinces, Sanma, Penama and Malampa. About 70 per cent (%) of the total
production comes from the island of Malekula in Malampa province. The other 30 per cent (%) of
production come from the other two provinces.

Attempts to re-establish large scale cocoa production with improve quality and marketing in Vanuatu has
been met with contrasting experiences in the past. This includes the Metenesel cocoa project which failed
to achieve its proposed 1700 ha of cocoa to produce 3,500 tonnes, and the Vanuatu Commodity
Marketing Board’s failure to take advantage of greater market opportunities for cocoa farmers. On the
other hand, cocoa has also benefited from a number of assistance and investment programs. This includes
a series of extension oriented Australian Aid funded projects in the 1980s. The projects involved active
participation from the Department Agriculture in the distribution of improved planting material.
Emphasis of the projects was on improving quality of Vanuatu cocoa. More recently considerable
investment from the EU and French government has also been directed at cocoa processing and
marketing cooperatives in Vanuatu.

The Vanuatu Organic Cocoa Growers Association is a success story for Vanuatu and model to many of
the Pacific Island countries intending to enter into “high value” cocoa niche markets. Success has come
about partly as a result of the interventions made to improve quality by the different donor programs.
KAOKA (importer) in the case of Vanuatu was proactively involved in the establishment and operations
of VOCGA. Apart from the “organic cocoa market” other niches market opportunities are available. To
enter any of the high value markets, meeting high quality standards and consistency in supply are
fundamentally important. Consistency and ability to increase supply comes with improved farm
management with use of good yielding cocoa varieties/genotypes.

28
Much emphasis by KAOKA/VOCGA has been on the mechanisms required to ascertain high quality
standards, organic status and an effective operational system. Insufficient supply will continue to be
constraint if the mechanisms required to increase supply are not addressed. The current ACIAR project
compliments the efforts by KAOKA/VOCGA through its current objectives for cocoa rehabilitation
through; improved farming practices and selection and distribution of good genetic materials available.
This report is being complied on the available cocoa genetic materials in Vanuatu for possible
distribution to farmers. The format of the report is dictated by the Terms of Reference.

TOR 1: What Genetic Resources are currently Available in National Collections-

Vanuatu.
The cocoa collection in Vanuatu is currently held at the Vanuatu Agricultural Research and Training
Centre in Santo. Before the 1980s the VARTC facilities including various collections was run and
managed by CIRAD. The collection over the years had not been managed well due funding issues
pertinent with the general operation of the research centre after the departure of CIRAD. Through the
current ACIAR project, funding was made available for Dr John Konam to visit the collection to help
initiate rehabilitation works. Thanks to John and the VARTC team, the rehabilitation work was well
done.

1.1 Main Collection

The collection holds a wide range of clones introduced from various countries around the globe
representing a good genetic pool for cocoa improvement. Currently there are over 100 different clones
(tables 1a,b and c), 72 of which were planted in 1984 according to the Bastid report (1996). The clones
not reported were new introductions including other locally selected clones that were still in the nursery
when the report was compiled. Out of the 100 clonal accessions in the collection, twenty (20) clones are
classified as Criollo types, forty (40) Trinitario types and forty one (41) Forasteros. According to the site
map 160 accessional plots were established. Some of the clones have been duplicated in different plots
inflating the total number of clones in the collection.

1.2 Core Collection

An additional fifty four (54) clones (table 1d) were selected from the main collection and established as a
core collection. The core collection plot consists of eleven (11) criollo clones, twenty four (24) trinitario
and nineteen (19) forastero types. Eight clones among the 54 clones are locally selected triniario and
criollo clones. The clones were initially selected on the basis of morphological, agronomical and quality
characteristics. These included, pod weight, wet bean weight per pod, number of beans per pod, average
weight of 100 sampled dry beans, black pod and organoleptic characters. No further progress on the core
collection was done to date. Some rehabilitation work was done on the plot as an extension to the work
by Dr John Konam on the main collection.

29
1.3 Open Pollinated Seed Garden
VARTC also maintains a newly established open pollinated hybrid seed garden. Nine clones are being
used in the production of open pollinated cocoa hybrids. The clones UF676, ICS8, AML and DR1 and
used as males while P300, K82, KEE 5, UPA402 and POR are used as females. The parental clones are
planted in 24 single rows of 15-16 trees per row/clone. Out of the nine parents, 2 are criollo types
(UF676, POR) 2 trinitario (ICS 8, K82) and 4 forastero (PA300, AML, KEE5, UPA 402).

1.4 Additional Selection of Potential Clones.

A further selection of 20 clones was made in June 2012 from the collection after the rehabilitation
exercise. Among the 20 clones, eight (KA5-201, UF676, GS36, LAFI-1, TAG-3, T79/501, ICS 16,10P)
are planted in the core collection. Selection was done based on productivity in terms of pod numbers on
the trees. Clones with high number of pods (more than 30 pods) were selected including those with
special characteristics. Potential vigour of the trees, pod length, pod width and thickness, number of
beans and bean colour were also recorded. (this data can’t be provided for unfortunate reasons). Potential
clones selected are given in table 1e and figure 1a.

Table 1a: Criollo clonal accessions in VARTC main collection.

No Clone Source Country of Origin

1 UF 221 United Fruit Costa-Rica

2 UF 667 United Fruit Costa-Rica
3 UF 221 United Fruit Costa-Rica
4 UF 676 United Fruit Costa-Rica
5 CC 158 Cocoa Centre Costa-Rica
6 CC 54 Cocoa Centre Costa-Rica
7 CC 231 Cocoa Centre Costa-Rica
8 R2 Unknown Vanuatu?
9 R 10 Unknown Vanuatu?
10 R 15 Unknown Vanuatu?
11 R 113 Unknown Vanuatu?
12 MXC 67 Mexican Chiapas Mexico
13 POR Porcelana Venezuela
14 SCR 4 San Cristobal Costa-Rica
15 TJ 1 Tanjica Honduras
16 EET 308 Estacion Expermental Tropical Ecuador
17 10 P Tabasco Mexico
18 CATONGO Catongo Brazil
19 M 109 Museum Surinam
20 SCRA 4 San Cristobal Costa – Rica

30
Table 1b: Trinitario clonal accessions in VARTC main collection.

No Clone Source Country Origin

1 CC 10 Costa-Rica Costa-Rica
2 CC 11 Costa-Rica Costa-Rica
3 CC 38 Costa-Rica Costa-Rica
4 CC 54 Costa-Rica Costa-Rica
5 CC 67 Costa-Rica Costa-Rica
6 FANAFO 1 Vanuatu Vanuatu
7 GS 29 Grenada Grenada
8 GS 36 Grenada Grenada
9 GS 46 Grenada Grenada
10 ICS 1 Trinidad Trinidad
11 ICS 6 Trinidad Trinidad
12 ICS 8 Trinidad Trinidad
13 ICS 16 Trinidad Trinidad
14 ICS 39 Trinidad Trinidad
15 ICS 60 Trinidad Trinidad
16 ICS 84 Trinidad Trinidad
17 ICS 95 Trinidad Trinidad
18 ICS 100 Trinidad Trinidad
19 K 82 PNG PNG
20 K5 Côte d’Ivoire Côte d’Ivoire
21 LAFI LAFI Samoa
22 LAFI 7 LAFI-7 Samoa
23 SPEC 41-6 Spécimen Colombia
24 SPEC 54-1 Spécimen Colombia
25 TAG 2 Tagabé Selections Vanuatu
26 TAG 3 Tagabé Selections Vanuatu
27 TAG 4 Tagabé Selections Vanuatu
28 TAG 6 Tagabé Selections Vanuatu
29 TAG10 Tagabé Selections Vanuatu
30 TAG11 Tagabé Selections Vanuatu
31 KA5-201 Kerevat PNG
32 W 41 Unknown Unknown
33 GU 158 Wild Selection French Goiania
34 CC 37 Costa-Rica Costa-Rica
35 NA 79 Nanay (Pound Go) Peru
36 GU 147 Wild Selection French Goiania
37 GU 171 Wild Selection French Goiania
38 GU 185 Wild Selection French Goiania
39 GU 231 Wild Selection French Goiania
40 GU 233 Wild Selection French Goiania

31
Table 1c: Forastero clonal accessions in VARTC main collection

No Clone Source Country

Origin
1 AMAZ 32 Amazon Peru
2 BE 10 Belem Brazil
3 CAS 1 Campo Agricola do Santarem Brazil
4 IFC 1 Sélections IRCC Côte d’Ivoire
5 IFC 2 Sélections IRCC Côte d’Ivoire
6 IFC 5 Sélections IRCC Côte d’Ivoire
7 IMC 47 Iquitos Mixed Collection Peru
8 IMC 67 Iquitos Mixed Collection Peru
9 KEE Keravat Selections PNG
10 KEE 2 Keravat Selections PNG
11 LCT_EEN 127 London Cocoa Trade Ecuador
12 LCT-EEN 28S1 London Cocoa Trade Ecuador
13 MAN 15-60 Manaus Open Pollinated Brazil
14 MOCORONGO Mocorongo Open pollinated Brazil
15 MO 98 Mocorongo Open pollinated Brazil
16 NA 32 Nanay (Pound G0) Peru
17 NA 79 Nanay (Pound G0) Peru
18 P7 Pound Peru
19 PA 7 Parinari (Pound G0) Peru
20 PA 107 Parinari (Pound G0) Peru
21 PA 137 Parinari (Pound G0) Peru
22 PA 300 Parinari (Pound G0) Peru
23 RB 33 Rio Branco Brazil
24 RB 39 Rio Branco Brazil
25 SCA 9 Scavina (Pound G0) Brazil
26 SIAL 93 Selecao Instituto Agronomica do Leste Brazil
27 SPA 9 or SC Clones Pound renommés en Colombie Peru
28 T 79-501 Tafo (sélection CRIG) (G1) Ghana
29 T 85-799 Tafo (sélection CRIG) (G1) Ghana
30 UPA 402 Sélections CRIG (G 2) Ghana
31 UPA 409 Sélections CRIG (G 2) Ghana
32 UPA 603 Sélections CRIG (G 2) Ghana
33 WA 40 WACRI Ghana
34 SPA 9 Clones Pound Renommensen Clombia Peru
35 ICS 39 Imperial College Selection Trinidad
36 LCTEEN 162-1010 London Cocoa Trade Ecuador
37 CATANGO Catango Brazil
38 BIG - BAY Unknown Unknown
39 AML Unknown Unknown
40 AMAL Unknown Unknown

32
Table 1d: Clones established in Core collection at VARTC (Selected from main collection).

No Clone Type Country of No Clone Type Country of

Origin Origin
1 CC 38 Trinitario Costa Rica 28 PA 300 Forastero Peru
2 CC I58 Criollo Costa Rica 29 POR ** Criollo Venezuela
3 BE 10 Forastero Brazil 30 WA 40 Trinitario Ghana
4 R 15 Criollo Vanuatu 31 FANAFO 1 Trinitario Vanuatu
5 R 113 Criollo Vanuatu 32 ICS 6 Trinitario Trinidad
6 KA5 201 Trinitario PNG 33 KEE 23 Forastero PNG
7 CC 67 Trinitario Costa Rica 34 TAG 3 Trinitario Vanuatu
8 UF 676 Criollo Costa Rica 35 UPA 402 Forastero Ghana
9 EET 308 Criollo Ecuador 36 PA 137 Forastero Peru
10 ICS 8 Trinitario Trinidad 37 TAG 6 Trinitario Vanuatu
11 KEE 23 Forastero PNG 38 R2 Criollo Vanuatu
12 ICS 95 Trinitario Trinidad 39 GU 158 Trinitario French Goiania
13 W 41 Trinitario Unknown 40 MO 98 Forastero Brazil
14 TAG 2 Trinitario Vanuatu 41 SIAL 93 Forastero Brazil
15 RB 33 Forastero Brazil 42 K82 Trinitario PNG
16 10 P Criollo Mexico 43 UF 221 Criollo Costa Rica
17 NA 32 Forastero Peru 44 T79/501 Forastero Ghana
18 GS 36 Trinitario Grenada 45 IMC 47 Forastero Trinidad
19 ICS 60 Trinitario Trinidad 46 CATONGO Criollo Brazil
20 SPA 9 Forastero Peru 47 PA 107 Forastero Peru
21 IFC 5 Forastero Côte d’Ivoire 48 TAG 10 Trinitario Vanuatu
22 GS 46 Trinitario Grenada 49 PA 300 Forastero Peru
23 CC 10 Trinitario Costa Rica 50 ICS 16 Trinitario Trinidad
24 K5 Trinitario Costa Rica 51 IFC 2 Forastero Côte d’Ivoire
25 CC 11 Trinitario Costa Rica 52 P7 Forastero Peru
26 IFC 1 Forastero Côte d’Ivoire 53 LAFI Trinitario Samoa
27 ICS 100 Trinitario Trinidad 54 TJ 1 Criollo Honduras

33
Table 1e: Additional Selection of potential clones (Selected from main collection).

No Clone Type Country of Origin

1 ICS-16 Trinitario Trinidad

2 FANAFO-1 Trinitario Vanuatu
3 10P Criollo Mexico
4 CC-38 Trinitario Costa Rica
5 GS-29 Trinitario Grenada
6 R-10 Criollo Unknown
7 R-113 Criollo Unknown
8 ICS-1 Trinitario Trinidad
9 UPA-402 Forastero Ghana
10 TAG-2 Trinitario Vanuatu
11 UF-221 Criollo Costa Rica
12 ICS-95 Trinitario Trinidad
13 KA5-201 Trinitario PNG
14 LAFI-7 Trinitario Samoa
15 GS-36 Trinitario Grenada
16 UF-676 Criollo Unknown
17 T79/501 Forastero Ghana
18 TAG3 Trinitario Vanuatu
19 GS-46 Trinitario Grenada
20 10P Criollo Mexico

TOR 2: How can these resources be best deployed to smallholders to meet current
industry needs?

Four entities are currently involved in the export marketing of cocoa including, large plantations,
Vanuatu Copra and Cocoa exports (VCCE), Cocoa Growers Association (CGA) and Vanuatu Organic
Cocoa Growers Association (VOCGA). The major exporter of cocoa is VCCE which accounts for 60%
of the total cocoa exports. These buyers according the FAO, VOCGA case study report 2009, have had a
positive impact on cocoa prices in Vanuatu. However, it is also reported that over the last decade cocoa
including copra had seen a downward trend in production.

Although cocoa prices have been reasonably good in Vanuatu, production at farm level needs to increase
for farmers to realise full benefits. Currently cocoa yields at farm level are low with an estimated average
of 500kg/ha. Lack of improved farm management skills, unavailability of improved planting materials
and aging cocoa stands have been the main constraints to increased productivity. These constraints are
very much a reality with VOCGA in its efforts to increase its volume of cocoa export. The current
industry need is to increase cocoa production.

34
Figure 1a: Additional clones identified from VARTC collection (Table 1e).

ICS-16 FANAFO-1 10P

CC-38 GS-29 R-10

R-113 ICS-1 UPA-402

TAG-2 UF-221 ICS-95

KA5-201 LAFI-7 GS-36

UF-676 T79/501 TAG3

GS-46 10-P

35
Under the current ACIAR project, improved farm management skills and selection of good genetic
materials for distribution to farmers are being addressed. Although they are set out and addressed under
different project objectives they are complementary at farm level. Vanuatu currently has a good pool of
genetic resources available at VARTC. In light of the TOR 2 and available genetic resources outlined in
TOR 1, two options are available for Vanuatu. The first is to select good materials and distribute as
clones and the other is to improve the current seed garden for development and distribution of hybrid
planting material. Distribution of planting materials as clones is highly recommended. However in
the current situation where no clones are available, the current seed garden at VARTC should be
improved to supply hybrid seeds. Production of hybrids will cease once new clones are identified and
released to farmers. Distribution of the planting materials under the two options are given

2.1: Distribution of Hybrid Planting Material (Seed Garden)

Cocoa is mostly propagated by seeds and many farmers are familiar with the use of seeds as planting
material. Between 1999 and 2007 VARTC supplied hybrid seeds/seedlings developed from selected
parents in the main cocoa collection. A total of 200 pods (8000 seeds) and 15000 seedlings were
distributed to farmers. The new open pollinated cocoa seed garden was established in 2007. The seed
garden has supplied a total of 20,000 seeds to farmers since 2008. According to records VARTC supplied
an overall total of 43,000 hybrid planting materials at roughly 5 pods a month to farmers in Vanuatu from
1999 - 2011. The volume of supply is relatively very low if demand from the 11,273 farmers was to
increase.

The use of quality hybrids is recommended as part of the drive to improve cocoa production in Vanuatu.
However, capacity of the current seed garden and quality of the hybrids produced need to be seriously
addresses before commencement of seed distribution to farmers. It should also be noted that the use of
hybrids is an interim recommendation. Production and distribution of hybrids should cease once new
clones are identified and selected for distribution. The following recommendations are made to improve
the capacity, quality and distribution of hybrids produced from VARTC cocoa seed garden.

1) All hybrid seeds to be produced by VARTC by assisted hand pollination. Hybrid seeds produced
before 2008 from the cocoa collection were done by close hand pollination. Two of the girls
currently working at the cocoa nursery were involved in doing this in the past and could easily
train new people to do hand pollination. Closed hand pollination is recommended to ensure
quality hybrids are produced.

2) All parental materials in the seed garden planted in designated rows should be true to type (both
male & female). The current parental materials planted in the seed garden are mixed. Clones
planted at the wrong places should be removed and replaced with the right clones. Some of these
clones had been removed after the visit. Budding should be done for immediate replacement and
infilling.

36
3) The number of female trees for each of the designated hybrid crosses should be increased. One
option is to expand the seed garden by planting more trees in an additional block at the ratio of 2:1
(female: male trees). Minimum number of male trees should not be less than 16 trees. The other
option using the existing seed garden is to remove the rows of ICS-8 and replace with respective
females in each block. The number of females in each block should be equally shared for
pollination with the respective males planted on the edges of each block. The clone ICS-8 is a
dominant male in 4 of the 12 crosses and should be planted separately with the required females
as the other crosses. The two clones in the last block of the seed garden (rows 21-25) should be
removed to make way for the ICS-8 crosses.

4) Trunk Cross sectional area (CSA) measurements should be done on female trees to estimate the
potential vigour of the hybrids. Big hybrids (big vigour) should be distributed separately from
small hybrids. All hybrids should be mixed in equal proportions and distributed as single batches
of big or small hybrids depending on the requirements by farmers (number of seeds required).
Distribution of hybrids using pods in equal proportions as above on the basis of 35 seeds per pod
can be allowed under certain circumstances.

5) Small nurseries should be established in strategic locations in the main cocoa growing regions of
Vanuatu. The nurseries can be own and operated by private sector partners, cooperatives and
farmer groups. Seeds developed from the VARTC cocoa seed garden should be prepared and sent
direct to the nurseries to raise before distributing to farmers in the respective regions.

The development of hybrids through closed hand pollination is technical and should only be done by
VATRC to ensure quality. As per the suggested changes (point 3) capacity of the seed garden should
increase to around 60,000-80,000 seeds per month. VARTC will need to boost its capacity by increasing
the number of workers and provide appropriate pollination training. Protocols for hybrid pollination, seed
preparation and packaging are available. Some funding support will be needed to initiate the required
improvement activities.

2.2: Selection and Distribution of Clonal Materials.

Increased and uniform cocoa production can be achieved at farm level using clonal materials. The use of
clones for cocoa production in Vanuatu may be limited or new to a large majority of farmers. Propagation
using unselected open pollinated seeds from available Trinitario and Amalenado is still common practice
by farmers. With cocoa being highly heterozygous especially trinitario, the use of unselected seeds
creates very variable populations in terms of production. Any effort to increase cocoa production will
continue to be defeated by this practice. By comparison cocoa clones are genetically uniform and less
variable. Therefore it would be of great benefit to farmers and industry as a whole to take advantage of
the genetic uniformity in clones and promote their use to increase and improve production in Vanuatu.

The main issue confronting the use of clones in Vanuatu is availability. Presently there are no
recommended cocoa clones available to farmers despite the availability of a good germplasm collection
at VARTC. The cocoa collection represents a wide range of genetic resources some of which can be

37
selected for farmers. An initial selection of fifty four (54) clones was established from the main cocoa
collection. Selected clones are currently maintained as a core collection. As mentioned before some of the
clones were selected for morphological, agronomical and quality characteristics. Due to the unavailability
of selected clones in Vanuatu some clones from the core collection can be proposed for distribution to
farmers. Release of the clones will be done on a provisional basis pending further evaluation and
selection of other clones. Since the clones will be distributed on provisional basis it may be necessary to
have a “Disclaimer” on the clones. The list of provisional clones will be modified over time by adding or
removing some clones until a final list of clones is fixed.

The clones proposed for provisional release to farmers in Vanuatu is given in the table below (table 2a).
Selection of the clones is based on available information provided in the Phillip Bastid report (1996).
Among the selected clones are six local clones and six introduced clones. Potential vigour of the clones
is also given based on visual field observations. During field planting it is recommended that the clones
be planted according to potential vigour (small clones one group, big clones one group).

Table 2a: Yield components of Proposed clones for Provisional Release to famers in Vanuatu.

Clone Type Av. Pod Wet bean No beans Av.dry bean Pod Value 5 Potential
Wt (g) 1 (%) 2 per pod 3 wt (g) 4 vigour 6
UF 676 C 583 29 34 2.03 15 Small**
GS 46 T 667 27 38 1.82 15 Big **
ICS 8 T 559 31 40 1.92 13 Small
KEE 23 F 476 26 36 1.32 21 Small
K82 T 524 25 41 1.43 17 Small
MO 98 F 518 28 52 1.08 19 Small
SIAL 93 F 430 26 42 1.24 20 Small
TAG 2 T 668 24 42 1.51 15 Big**
TAG 3 T 664 21 40 1.61 15 Big**
TAG 6 T 698 22 42 1.66 14 Big
TAG 10 T 651 22 41 1.62 15 Big
FANAFO 1 T 695 22 42 1.58 15 Big**
Mean 594 25 42 1.57 16
1
) Average Pod weight (g), 2) Wet bean weight percentage (%), 3) Number of beans per pod, 4) Average dry bean weight (g),
5
) Pod required to make 1kg dry bean. 6) Potential clone vigour. **) Identified clone from recent selection.

The current selection of clones must be deployed to Malekula and other parts of the country to improve
accessibility of the materials by farmers. Bud wood gardens and nurseries should be established in
centralised locations to raise and supply clonal seedlings to farmers. Bud wood from respective clones
harvested and budded should be clearly labelled to ensure that right group and proportion of clones are
distributed. The use of clones may be new to a large majority of farmers in Vanuatu. For that reason
more training and awareness should be given to farmers in regards to the development and management
of the clones at farm level. Initially all clonal seedlings should be raised and supplied from established
central nurseries. Private sector partners, farmer groups and corporative groups should be encouraged to
run and operate the central nurseries. VOCGA has an existing system with central fermentries which

38
could be extended to include central nurseries. The following recommendations are made for the
establishment and distribution of the clones.

1) Identify strategic and centralised locations to establish bud wood gardens and nurseries. Sites
should be identified in major cocoa growing areas including large plantations and other areas with
good potential for cocoa. Road accessibility and water will be vital for nursery establishment.
Once sites are identified, nursery owners should immediately establish the nurseries to raise
seedlings to bud the 12 selected clones. Seedlings should be raised to bud and establish at least 20
trees per clone in the bud wood gardens. Each cocoa nursery should have a bud wood garden
comprising of all 12 selected clones planted in single rows of 20 trees per clone at 833 trees/ha
(4x3m spacing) .

2) Training and awareness on the potential of using clones to improve production should be provided
to farmers. This can be done using the expertise of Dr Konam in collaboration with private sector
partners and other stakeholders including the national extension services. Training on the
different budding techniques and management of the clones both in the nursery and field should
be provided. Two to three training sessions should be done in strategic and central places.
Continuation of training and awareness should be proceeded by national extension services and
private sector partners in other areas.

3) During the trainings good and potential cocoa budders should be identified. These budders should
be engaged in the central nurseries to do fulltime budding of clones for distribution to farmers.
Budding of the 12 clones to establish bud wood garden should firstly be done. Once the clones are
established with sufficient branching, bud wood can be harvested to bud onto seedlings raised in
the nursery. It is further recommended that trinitario seeds should be used as rootstock since
seedlings are bigger and thicker for better handling in budding.

4) Individual clones should be budded and clearly marked in the nursery rows. Upon distribution, the
clones should be given in equal proportions of the same vigour group depending on the
requirement by farmers. For example 20 trees each from the six small clones should be supplied
to a farmer requiring 120 trees of the small clones. Similar arrangement should be done for the big
clones. For field planting, small clones should be planted separately from the big clones.

5) After field planting farmers should be encourage to do own assessments on the performance of the
clones at farm level. General observations on productivity, yield distribution and resistance levels
to disease should be made. A review of the clones can be made in the next 3-4 years. During this
time new clones can be added and others removed from the current list based on evaluation
results.

39
2.3: Recommended activities for the clonal materials available at VARTC.
The major advantage of clones compared to hybrids is the uniformity of all trees within the same clone.
Genetically clones are identical. Therefore, the performance of clones should be reliable and repeatable at
any given set of environmental conditions. The main cocoa collection at VARTC is an important pool of
clones to select potential material for further improvement or select for specific traits of interest. In
addition further evaluation on the core collection and recent selections will be required to identify
additional good clones.
2.3.1: Main Collection
The main collection should be maintained by engaging in proper management of the materials. Missing
and dead trees in each of the clone plots should be replaced. All tags for clone identification in the
collection should be done. The tags should bear the clone name and date of establishment. Proper
cataloguing protocols are available. A data base for the clones can be prepared.
2.3.2: Core Collection
The core collection comprises of 54 clones selected based on morphological and quality characteristics.
The collection represents an advance selection of potentially good clones. However, important
components including yield potential, production stability, flavour profiles and butter content were not
factored in the selections. These components plus other important characteristics should be evaluated in
the next phase of advance testing. It is important that the collection at VARTC be maintain and data
collection for be initiated. Dead and missing trees should be replaced.

The same collection should be duplicated in on-farm trials in Melampa, Sanma and Penama provinces
where cocoa is concentrated. Good partners should be identified to undertake the important requirement
of managing and collecting required data from the trials. Three sites should be immediately identified and
field preparations to be initiated. An onsite mini nursery should be established to raise seedlings to bud
the clones. Enough seedlings should be raised to bud and field plant 16 trees for each of the 54 clones.
Field planting of the clones should be done in single rows of 16 trees per clone at 833 trees per hectare
(4x3m spacing).
Final selection of the clones should be done based on;
1. High yielding potential
2. Good production stability
3. Good levels of resistance to pest and diseases
4. Good environmental adaptability and stability
5. Good quality characteristics.

The current list of clones selected for provisional release (table 2a) will be modified by including new
clones selected from the core collection. This is expected to take another 4-5 years. Unfortunately this
may not be done within the time frame of the current ACIAR project. Therefore it is in the best interest of
the cocoa industry in Vanuatu that these materials should be tested properly in order to select a more
reliable and robust set of clones for the industry. The VARTC crops section should take charge of this
activity in collaboration with industry partners. Quarterly visits to the respective testing sites will be
needed to ensure planned activities are executed properly.

40
2.3.3: Additional Selection of 20 clones (Table1e, Figure 1a)
This group of clones consists of 20 clones selected after the rehabilitation exercise on the main collection
by Dr Konam. Eight of them are currently established in the core collection. Furthermore, 5 of the clones
are among the 12 clones proposed for provisional release to farmers in Vanuatu. The clones could offer
great potential in terms high productivity but will need to be properly tested. There are two possibilities
for further testing and evaluation. The first is to take the clones out of the main collection and test in a
formal replicated trial at VARTC with the 5 clones on provisional release used as common controls.
Yield and other important components can be evaluated on station.

The other option is to include the clones for multi-location testing with the core collection clones as
specified in activity 2.3.2. Twelve (12) of the twenty clones will be included to the 54 core collection
clones as eight of them are already included. The total area required to test the clones on farm would be
around 1.5 hectares. Three sites will be required from the main cocoa provinces as specified. The large
number of clones and land area required may turn out to be a problem in some areas. Should that be the
case one possibility is to select farmers in one locality and distribute the clones to them for planting. The
66 clones should be distributed equally depending on the number of farmers in each locality.

TOR 3: How can these resources be deployed to help smallholders develop high-value
markets

VOCGA is a success story for cocoa in Vanuatu and the Southern Pacific as a whole. The success
demonstrates that cocoa can make significant contributions to the economic growth of other small pacific
island countries. It would not be feasible for the island nations to be part of the mainstream world market
for cocoa. However, greater opportunities for the small pacific countries lie with the “high value niche
markets”. Provided there is sufficient volume meeting required quality standards, cocoa from the pacific
can enter high value markets such as, fine flavour, organic certified, fair trade and single origin.
Lessons can be learnt from experiences of VOCGA in accessing and establishing “high value markets”
for cocoa. Potential high value markets for Vanuatu are discussed.

3.1: Fine flavour cocoa market.

Cocoa production in Vanuatu is based on both Trinitario and Amalenado cocoa. It is not known how
much of the current volume of cocoa in Vanuatu is coming from trinitario. To be classified as an
“exclusive” producer of FF cocoa much of the production in Vanuatu would have to base on the Criollo
and Trinitario cocoa types. Price premiums are paid based on FF classification awarded as a percentage
(%) of the overall production. The Trinitario and Criollo clones available in Vanuatu could be
specifically selected for farmers if the FF market is to be targeted. Among the 12 clones recommended
for provisional release (table 2a) eight of them are Trinitario types with Criollo. They could form the
basis for planting materials targeting the FF market. More could be added from the core collection (table
1d) after advance testing.

41
3.2: Single origin chocolate market.
This market is established on the basis that chocolate tastes vary with source of origin. Single origin
chocolate promotes chocolate made from beans from one region or sometimes from one farm. This
concept is long established for wines and whiskies. The markets for single origin chocolate are growing.
Single origin chocolate is often paired with the concept of organic growing condition. This market is not
variety specific as is the case with FF market. However quality and quantity remains fundamental to
accessing this market. Production must increase in order to ascertain the market..

3.3: Fair trade cocoa market

Fair trade markets are increasing at 22% annually (Bayer 2011). The markets are often complementary
with organic markets. Fair trade seeks to improve greater equity in the international trade. The market
growth in North America is relatively higher than Europe. Annual market growth in Europe is about 30
per cent (%) with 48 per cent (%) of the fair trade cocoa imported to Europe certified organic. In North
America the annual market growth is around 83 per cent (%) with 90 per cent (%) of fair trade cocoa
imported into North America certified organic. Fair trade cocoa prices are calculated on the basis of
world cocoa price plus fair trade premiums (McGregor 2004). Producer certification may be possible
through corporative arrangements

3.4: Organic cocoa market.

The organic cocoa market by world standards is low at about 0.5 per cent (%) of the total cocoa
production. Around 80 per cent (%) of certified organic cocoa is supplied from Latin America. In the
pacific VOCGA has been successful in accessing and establishing this market. Having secured and
guaranteed market VOCGA aims to increase production from 400 tonnes to 1000 tonnes. Unfortunately
production continues to be stagnant due to various constraining factors. The organic market is not variety
specific and can take either Trinitario or Amalanado cocoa provided sufficient volumes are attained with
quality ascertain. Market for organic growth is around 10-15 per cent annually. Much of the market
interest is in Europe and is increasing due to health concerns over chemical residues found in chocolate
manufactured from Africa and South American beans (FAO VOCGA case study 2009).

42
4.0 General Conclusion
Cocoa production in Vanuatu has revolved around 1000 tonnes in the last decade despite the availability
of good genetic materials available in VARTC. Selection program on the collection at VARTC was
initiated under CIRAD but unfortunately could continue due to several issues. With the opportunity to
expand into “high value niche” markets the current industry need is to increase cocoa production. Major
issues affecting production have been lack of proper farm management skills and unavailability of
improved planting materials. The current ACIAR project aims to address these it its broad approach to
making cocoa a profitable and additional income earner for farmers in the Pacific.

One of the ACIAR project objectives is to make good cocoa planting materials available to farmers for
cocoa production. The approach is to identify and select potential materials available from national
collections for distribution to farmers. In Vanuatu, most of the production is based on unselected open
pollinated seeds from either Trinitario or Amalanado cocoa. However two options are available in
Vanuatu to supply planting materials either as hybrids or hybrid clones. VARTC currently has an existing
cocoa seed garden. Some improvements to the seed garden will be necessary to enable supply of quality
hybrids to farmers.

For clones, initial selections to develop good clones were initiated by CIRAD by selecting and
establishing potential clones in the core collection. Further advancement from this unfortunately did not
eventuate in VARTC due to funding constraints. A limited selection is being made from the core
collection for distribution to farmers. The clones are proposed on a provisional basis and should be
replaced once better clones are identified.

43
FIJI

Background

The existence of cocoa in Fiji dates back to 1880 when the British introduced it into cultivation. Original
germplasm (varieties) was trinitario brought into Ceylon (Sri Lanka) from Trinidad around 1798 and
subsequently transferred to Singapore and Fiji in 1880 (FCC project 2006). The same germplasm was
further introduced to Samoa (1883) and later to Papua New Guinea. Much of the cocoa production in the
pacific at the time (1800s) was largely confined to big plantation estates. Although the situations vary
between the different countries, it was around the 1960s that cocoa production shifted from large holder
to a small holder based cash crop. In Fiji, government efforts during the 1960s were first initiated to
established cocoa as a small holder crop for inter planting with coconut. Despite the government efforts,
cocoa production remained low until the mid-70’s when it started to pick up. Production peaked to its all-
time high in 1987 with a total volume of 468 tonnes. This unfortunately could not be maintained as
production started pummelling in the 1990s to the current insignificant levels.

Low levels of cocoa production continue to be maintained as reported by Bayer (2011) in Matasawalevu,
Namau and Ra including two plantations namely Vanuavou and Namuivoivoi supplying the Naidi cocoa
paste processing plant. Further progress and improvements to cocoa in these areas has been hindered by
political, economic and environmental issues. For instance, in Ra province farmers are unable to produce
more cocoa due to poor road infrastructure and inaccessibility during the wet season. The limited cocoa
produced by farmers is sold to SaiYee Foods in Suva for $FJD3.40/kg. In Namau cocoa is mostly used
for the production of sweetened cocoa paste some of which is sold on the open market as local chocolate.
However, much of the cocoa production is done in anticipation to supply a proposed chocolate factory in
the area. Good quality beans are being produced but yields are very low in Namau.

In Matasawalevu 230 hectares of cocoa were established after the 1960s as part of the government
development plan phase 8 and 9. Due to various resource constraints and lack of government support
remaining cocoa stands are overgrown and require major rehabilitation inputs to improve production.
Much of the area is said to have been converted for ginger growing. Furthermore, fermentation facilities
in Matasawalevu were also destroyed after the 2006 coup which seriously impaired supply of good
quality cocoa beans(Bayer 2011). The Naidi cocoa paste processing plant is supplied with cocoa beans
from Vanuavou and Namuivoivoi plantations. Consistency in supply of beans can sometimes be a
problem as the plantations are quite remote and workers have to travel several distances or camp onsite to
work in the plantations.

Cocoa currently lacks significance as a major industry in Fiji. This, as highlighted by Bayer (2011) is
attributed to poor policies on cocoa production by previous governments mostly based on production
rather than postharvest handling, value addition and market requirements. The current ACIAR project
which involves Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu attempts to address these issues by taking a holistic approach to
the cocoa value chain in the respective countries. Increased production, improved quality and “high value
market” accessibility are important components the project aims to address.
44
Other issues that directly affect production such as road infrastructure are beyond the project and lie
solely under government responsibility. Therefore, a collective effort between ACIAR, the government
and other stake holders including the private sector partners will be fundamental to re-establish Fiji’s
reputation as a cocoa producing nation.

One of the main support functions that the Fiji government could provide through the Department of
Agriculture is to maintain important cocoa collections established in Nadroloulou and Wainigata. As part
of the drive to improve low cocoa productivity at farm level, potential materials from the collections can
be identified, selected and deployed to farmers. This report is being compiled based on the visit to
Nadroloulou to identify the different genotypes available in the current collection. The reporting format is
directed by the Terms of Reference.

TOR 1: What Genetic Resources are currently Available in National Collections-FIJI.

The government research stations at Nadroloulou and Wainigata are known to contain several cocoa
clonal accessions in the respective collections. It is not known if the same collections are duplicated in
both stations. In Nadroloulou there is an estimated 110 accessions in the main collection (Bayer 2011).
During the short visit to Nadroloulou a quick inventory on the collection was made. It was not possible to
obtain a site map of the collection. Much of the inventory was based on identification boards for existing
materials and data recording sheets. Some of the accession could not be identified due to missing
signboards. Other accessions had perished either from the floods or due to lack of proper maintenance.

From the quick inventory 61 clonal accessions were clearly identified. According to data records, the
accessions are categorised into three sets based on the source of origin. Locally selected materials,
introduced materials from Papua New Guinea and other materials introduced from abroad were identified
(tables 1a.1b.1c, appendix 1). The introduced collection (apart from PNG clones) is referred to as the
Miami or Classical collection. Several hybrid clones derived from selected crosses among the local
selections and introduced materials can also be found. Among the locally selected materials (table 1a)
are 10 local trinitario clones and 4 cloned genotypes from selected crosses. These materials are believed
to have been introduced to Nadroloulou from Wainigata

The introductions from Papua New Guinea (table 1b) consist of 17 clones including six upper
Amazonian clones from the Forastero group and eleven Trinitario clones. The clones were introduced
from Samoa to PEQ facility in Fiji in 1990. They were release to Nadroloulou for field planting in 1991.
The cocoa collection at Nadroloulou is in dire need of rehabilitation. In some cases only one or two trees
are left. A full rehabilitation exercise will be required in the collection to save and improve the trees to
enable any further selections. Apart from the PNG and Fiji local clones, 29 other introduced clones (table
1c) are also found in the collection. These are an important group of clones identified from various
sources of origin. The group includes, 11 Trinitario clones, 9 Forastero clones and another 9 clones
derived from other sources.

45
According to a 1997 data record sheet 82 clonal accessions appear to have been recorded on a regular
basis at Nadroloulou. The number of trees planted per clone in the collection varies from 10 – 15
depending on the group of clones. Base on the quick inventory in the collection more than 20 clones (61
clones from 82) are not included or identified. These clones are either dead or not labelled. Furthermore,
the 61 clones identified so far in the collection at Nadroloulou comprise of 36 trinitrario, 15 forastero
types and 10 clones derived from other sources.

Table 1a: Local Collection Table 1b: PNG Collection

No Clone Type Remarks

1 K 21-25 Trinitario Kerevat Selection

2 K 24-103 Trinitario Kerevat Selection

3 K 24-106 Trinitario Kerevat Selection

4 KT 140 Trinitario Kerevat Selection

5 K 24 Trinitario Kerevat Selection

6 K 16 Trinitario Kerevat Selection

7 KEE 2 Upper Amazon Kerevat Selection

8 KEE 5 Upper Amazon Kerevat Selection

Table 1c: Introduced Collection (Miami/Classical
9 KEE 23 Upper Amazon Kerevat Selection
collection)
10 KEE 42 Upper Amazon Kerevat Selection
No Clone Type Origin No Clone Type Origin
11 KEE 22 Upper Amazon Kerevat Selection
1 P7-3 Forastero Peru 16 SSA -8 Unknown Unknown
2 LAFI 17 Trinitario Samoan 17 LCT-EEN 12
30367 K 20 Forastero
Trinitario
Ecuador
Kerevat Selection
3 ICS 39 Trinitario Trinidad 18 MO 90 30258
13 K 82 Forastero
Trinitario Brazil Kerevat Selection
4 NA 32 Trinitario Peru 19 EET 400 30313 Refacario Ecuadoe
5 IMC 67 Forastero Cote’dvoire 20 14
EQ X107 26430 KA2-101 Trinitario
Trinitario EcuadorKerevat Selection
6 ICS 1 Trinitario Trinidad 21 CCI 20 15 Unknown
KA2 -106 Trinitario UnknownKerevat Selection
7 GS 36 Trinitario Grenada 22 POUND xCATONGO Forastero Hybrid Clone
8 ICS 40 Trinitario Trinitario 23 MOQ 528 16 KA2-201 Trinitario Hybrid Clone
Forastero Kerevat Selection
9 PA35 Forastero Peru 24 UF 667 X SCA 12 CF hybrid Hybrid Clone
10 S4 8 Unknown Unknown 25 EET 400 XSCA 12 RF hybrid Hybrid Clone
11 ICS 98 Trinitario Trinidad 26 IMC 14 Forastero Cote’dvoire
12 IMC 67x UF613 CT hybrid Hybrid Clone 27 ACT 2 – 15 Trinitario Unknown
13 ACT4 -2 Unknown Unknown 28 EXQ 94 – 5 Trinitario Ecuador
14 CCN 16 Forastero Mexico 29 ICS 1 29 - 5 Trinitario Trinidad
15 S151 -61 Unknown Unknown
CT=Criollo x Trinitario hybrid, CF=Criollo x Forastero hybrid RF=Refactario x Forastero hybrid

TOR 2: How can these resources be best deployed to smallholders to meet current industry
needs? -FIJI

Cocoa in Fiji is a relatively small industry compared to other commodity crops (eg rice, papaya). Current
production is low and is unlikely to improve in the future without any major incentives or support by
46
government and other stake holders. However, as highlighted in various parts of the Bayer report (2011)
market opportunities are available in Fiji. The chocolate factory in Nadi requires a significant volume of
bean supply to produce enough chocolate to supply its niche market. Dry fermented high quality cocoa
beans produced in Ra province are sold to SaiYee Foods Ltd in Suva. More cocoa can be bought but
supply from the farmers is currently limited.

One of the main reasons for the low bean supply in Ra has been the poor road infrastructure. Even if the
road was to be improved the fundamental issue of low productivity at farm level would not improve.
Currently cocoa yields are very low and most of the cocoa farms not only in Ra but other areas in Fiji
have aged and are overgrown. Resource constraints and lack of government support has resulted in lack
of interest leaving most of the cocoa farms run down. One of the major goals of the current ACIAR
project is to facilitate accessibility by growers to other “high value market” opportunities.

A significant increase from the current low volume of production will be necessary to supply the local
market demand in Fiji including outside markets if that will be accessed. Under the current situation,
existing cocoa farms in Ra, Matasawalevu, Namau and other designated areas will require major
rehabilitation and improvement. Dr Konam’s expertise can be utilised in this area as demonstrated in
Namau. The use of good cocoa planting materials for replanting and grafting onto unproductive trees is
an important part of rehabilitation. Without that not much improvement can be achieved with the use of
unselected planting materials.

The cocoa collection at Nadroloulou consists of more than 60 existing clones some of which could be
selected for further improvement for distribution to farmers. Depending on the need and government
support, seed production and clonal propagation are options available to Fiji. Seed production is possible
with the availability of eight parental clones from PNG which are currently used in the production of SG2
hybrids in Papua New Guinea. It is not known if the clones were originally brought into Fiji for hybrid
production. If that was the case it may still be possible for a similar seed production set up to be
established either in Wainigata or Nadroloulou. However further progress should be done with some
caution in light of the following;

1) As hybrids, there is bound to be variability in the performances. GxE is an important

consideration as this can have major effect on the performance of the hybrids. Production and
distribution of the hybrids should be validated by some farm results since hybrids have never been
tested in Fiji.

2) It is unlikely that rehabilitation and replanting will surpass 3,000 hectares. The all-time high
production of 468 tonnes reached in 1987 was achieved on the back of 1,505 hectares. Hybrid
seed development should only be justified by very high demands for cocoa planting materials.

3) Existing parental clones in the collection should be rehabilitated. After rehabilitation selective
pollinations should be done by hand pollination. Hybrid seeds should be given to selected farmers

47
 to plant and comment on the general performance of the hybrids before any decision can be made.
Otherwise the parents can be maintained and included with others for cocoa production.

Table 2a: Hybrid crosses for possible seed production in Fiji.

KA2-106 Crosses K82 Crosses

No Male Female No Male Female

1 KA2-106 KEE 42 (B) 1 K82 KEE 42 (B)
2 KA2-106 KEE 23 (B) 2 K82 KEE 23 (S)
3 KA2-106 KEE 22 (B) 3 K82 KEE 22 (S)
4 KA2-106 KEE 5 (S) 4 K82 KEE 5 (S)

B=Big vigour, S=Small vigour

Cocoa clones are genetically uniform and less variable. The genetic uniformity in clones is expressed in
traits of interest like yield and disease resistance. Therefore, it is recommended that farmers be
encouraged to use clones as source of planting material either for rehabilitation or planting in new
areas. Some of the available clones at Nadroloulou can be selected. Unfortunately, very limited data is
available to fully substantiate selection. However, limited onsite selection is also possible provided the
trees are in good shape. At the time of visit this was not possible due to the poor conditions of the trees.
Rehabilitation works in the collection needs to done before onsite selection of potential clones can be
made. Selective data collection should be initiated after rehabilitation to further identify potential clones.
Selected clones can be further evaluated for final selection and distribution to farmers.

Formal testing and evaluation unfortunately takes time before final selections can be made. The current
project support is expected to end in 2014 and it is uncertain that interventions to compliment such
initiatives will continue. It is therefore necessary that some clones be selected to set the scene for further
progress. One possibility is to make a limited selection of clones for distribution to farmers on a
provisional or conditional basis. As the clones will be distributed on provisional basis it may be
necessary to have a “Disclaimer” to the clones. Distribution of those clones should cease once better
clones are identified after proper evaluation.

A group of 16 clones (table 2b) is being proposed for “conditional” release to farmers. The clones are
selected based on the writer experience with the clones. However, not much information is known about
the 5 selected WRS clones except that they may have been selections from Wainigata. On the basis of
local adaptability, the clones were selected. In addition, all of the 5 WRS clones have big beans (30-40), a
characteristic associated with low pod value. This means that a farmer may only need about 10-20 pods
to make one kilogram of dry bean. This is in contrast to other clones with high pod values (more pods to
make 1 kg dry bean.).

Table 2b: Proposed clones for “conditional” release to farmers.

No Clone Type Potential Origin Remarks

Vigour
48
 1 WRS-1 Trinitario Big Local Selection Locally adapted clone, big beans
2 WRS-4 Trinitario Big Local Selection Locally adapted clone, big beans
3 WRS-11 Trinitario Big Local Selection Locally adapted clone, big beans
4 WRS-28 Trinitario Big Local Selection Locally adapted clone, big beans
5 WRS-29 Trinitario Big Local Selection Locally adapted clone, big beans
6 K24-103 Trinitario Big PNG Selection Big beans-resistant to VSD
7 K24-106 Trinitario Big PNG Selection Big beans-resistant to VSD
8 K82 Trinitario Small PNG Selection Productive clone-ppr resistant
9 KA2-106 Trinitario Small PNG Selection Productive clone-ppr resistant
10 LAFI-7 Trinitario Small Samoan Clone Productive clone, big beans, hard pods
11 ICS-1 Trinitario Small Trinidad Clone Productive clone, ppr resistant
12 NA 32 Trinitario Small Peru Clone Productive clone,
13 KEE 5 Forastero Small PNG Selection Productive clone, resistant to ppr
14 KEE 22 Forastero Small PNG Selection Productive clone, resistant to ppr
15 KEE 23 Forastero Small PNG Selection Productive clone, resistant to ppr
16 KEE 42 Forastero Big PNG Selection Productive clone, big beans .

The proposed clones (table 2b) have the potential to improve production if managed well. The following
recommendations are made to enhance their dissemination to farmers.

1) Contact should be made with farm owners and farmer groups in Matasawalevu, Namau, Ra and
other potential cocoa areas to establish bud wood gardens and nurseries.(Road accessibility and
water will are important considerations). Once sites are identified, nurseries should be established
to raise seedlings to bud the selected clones. Bud wood should be collected from the clones in
Nadroloulou and sent to the respective nurseries for budding after 3-4 months. Enough budding
should be done to establish 10-16 trees per clone in the bud wood garden. Once ready, the clonal
seedlings should be field planted in single rows of 10-16 trees per clone at 833 trees per hectare
(3x4m spacing). All clones should be clearly labelled.

2) Training and awareness on the potential of using clones to improve production should be provided
to farmers. This can be done using the expertise of Dr Konam in collaboration with private sector,
national extension services and other stakeholders. Training on the different budding techniques
and management of the clones both in the nursery and field should be provided. One to two
training sessions should be done. Continuation of training and awareness should be ensued by
national extension services and private sector partners in other areas.

3) During the trainings sessions, good and potential cocoa budders should be identified. These
budders should be engaged in the nurseries to do fulltime budding for distribution of clones to
farmers. Priority should be given to bud selected clones to establish bud wood gardens. Once the
clones are established with sufficient branching, bud wood can be harvested to bud onto seedlings

49
 raised in the nursery. It is recommended that trinitario cocoa seeds be used as rootstock since
seedlings are bigger and thicker for better handling in budding.

4) Individual clones should be budded and clearly marked in the nursery in rows. Upon distribution,
the clones should be given in equal proportions of the same vigour group depending on the
requirement by farmers. For example 10 seedlings each from the eight small clones should be
supplied to a farmer requiring 80 clonal seedlings from the small. Similar arrangement should be
done for the big clones. It is recommended that small clones should be maintained and planted
separately from the big clones.

5) Farmers should be encouraged to do own assessments on the performance of the clones at farm
level. General observations on productivity, yield distribution and resistance levels to disease
should be made. New clones should be added once better clones are identified.

2.1: Recommendations for the Collection at Nadroloulou.

Further work and assessments need to be carried out on the collection at Nadroloulou to be able to select
some good clones. Some activities may be happening concurrently with the distribution and
establishment of the 16 proposed provisional clones. The following activities are recommended.

1) A full rehabilitation exercise needs to be carried out in the collection. All trees should be pruned
to reduce height with black pod and epiphytes on the trees removed. Bark canker should also be
treated and removed. (Dr Konam’s expertise can be utilized in this area). Waterlogged areas in
the collection should also be improved. A similar rehabilitation exercise should be done in
Wainigata if the collection still exists.

2) Do a thorough inventory of the collection to identify missing and unlabelled clonal accessions in
Nadroloulou. Missing trees should be replaced by collecting bud wood from remaining trees to
bud in the nursery for replacement. Old trees should also be replaced. Re-labelling should be done
clearly for all clonal accessions in the collection. If the collection in Wainigata still exists it is
important that this should also be done in the collection.

3) After rehabilitation when the trees start bearing, initiate yield data collection for the clones. It
would be desirable to do recording on a two weekly basis using the same recording methodology
used in the past where useable pods, black pods, rodent attack and overripe pods were recorded.
This should be done for at least one year. Should resource constraints prevent regular harvesting,
two sets of recordings can be done one January and another in June. Using this system all pods
and cherelles on the trees are recorded at once. The estimated age of cherelles and pods should be
also be recorded.
50
4) Do one time data recording on the clones for; average pod weight, average number of beans,
average wet bean weight, bean size and average dry bean weight. The following data recording
should be done when there is sufficient number of pods to collect samples. Data collected in
recommendations 3 and 4 will be collated to select the next group of clones for further testing.

5) Collect bud wood from the 16 clones prposed for “provisional” release and bud in the nursery at
Nadroloulou. Bud enough seedlings to establish 15 trees per clone in single rows. Identify a
suitable area in Nadroloulou to establish the clones in the field. Bud wood from this plot should
be used to supply to farmers once sufficient branching is achieved.

6) Initiate hand pollination of the clones KEE 2, KEE 22, KEE 23, KEE 42, K82 and KA2-106 as
shown in table 2a. Pollen from K82 and KA2-106 should be collected to hand pollinate the four
upper Amazonian clones. Pollination equipment such forceps, pollination vials and plasticine
should be purchased to aid hand pollination. Hybrids produced should be sent to selected farmers
to plant. Planting should be maintained according to potential vigour of the hybrids. Farmers
should be encouraged to assess and comment on the general performance of the hybrids. A small
plot should also be planted in either Nadroloulou or Wainigata. Information gathered will be vital
for any decision to produce hybrids or not.

TOR 3: How can these resources be deployed to help smallholders develop high-value
markets?

Most of the cocoa produce in the past was absorbed by Kokosiga Ltd which successfully exported cocoa
paste to markets in Australia and New Zealand. The market unfortunately was lost due to labelling
regulations. Two important local markets in SaiYee Foods Ltd and Adi chocolate have continued to exist
in Fiji. Both markets have the capacity to absorb more raw materials but supply has been limited.
Increasing supply to these markets has also been compounded by various issues. Apart from the local
market, “high value markets” such as single origin, fair trade and organic certified markets are also
available outside Fiji. Characteristics and requirement of these potential “niche market opportunities” are
highlighted under TOR 3 for Samoa and Vanuatu. The high price premiums that individual markets offer
can provide great benefits to farmers in the pacific. Experiences from the Vanuatu Organic Cocoa
Growers Association affirm this (FAO,VOCGA case study 2009).

These markets cannot be successfully accessed if the issue limiting current production in Fiji are not
addressed. Furthermore, high quality standards and consistent supply of cocoa are fundamentally
important to accessing high value markets. Formation of cooperatives has been highly successful in
maintaining quality and supply through bulking. The Ra and Namau groups currently produce good
quality beans. They could be more successful through a corporative organisation in their activities. As
individual farmers the efforts may be fragmented. Potential high value markets are briefly highlighted.

51
3.1: Fine flavour cocoa market.
The market for fine flavour cocoa is generally regarded as relatively small, highly specialised market,
with its own supply and demand characteristics. Price premiums for FF cocoa range from USD100 to
USD400 per ton and can be high as USD1000 (McGregor 2004). Generally, fine flavoured cocoa beans
are produced from Criollo and Trinitario cocoa types. Fiji can enter this market if cocoa production is
increased based on Trinitario and Criollo and quality is ascertain. A case can be submitted to ICCO for
consideration.

3.2: Single origin chocolate market.

Wine and Whiskey tastes are said to be related to localities in which they are grown. This concept is not
new and is said to be the same with chocolate. Single origin chocolate promotes chocolate made from
beans from one region or sometimes from one farm. The high quality beans from Namau and Ra would
easily make this market. However current issues have to be addressed and production from the respective
areas will need to increase to meet market targets. The single origin markets are growing and often paired
with organic growing conditions. One main benefit to single origin chocolate is that people know exactly
where the chocolate they are eating is produced.

3.3: Fair trade cocoa market

The markets for fair trade cocoa are similar to organic markets and are often complementary. Fair trade
seeks to improve greater equity in the international trade. Producers of fair trade cocoa must meet certain
requirements related to labour, social, economic and environmental developments. Producer certification
may be expensive for some farmers. Fair trade premium for standard quality cocoa is around USD 150
per tonne. An additional premium of USD 200 is obtained for fair trade cocoa classified organic. Fair
trade is a growing market in Europe and America. The concept may be relatively new to the Pacific.
Again sufficient volume and quality are fundamental to accessing these markets.

3.4: Organic cocoa market.

The organic cocoa market have evolved as a result of growing health concerns over chemical residues
from pesticides and other chemical used for cocoa production in Africa and America. The market is
relatively low about 0.5% of the world market. Cocoa produced in the pacific is by default organic as
most farmers do not use chemical and fertilizers for production. In terms of the organic market access in
the pacific, only Vanuatu has successfully established a market. VOCGA has been exporting organic
certified cocoa to KAOKA in French since 2006. Linkage can be forged between VOCGA and other
pacific countries to help develop organic markets. Fiji can benefit from greatly from this sort of
arrangement.

4.0: General Conclusion.

Cocoa production in Fiji is a relatively small industry in comparison to crops like rice and papaya.
Despite its low significance as and industry it can still make significant contributions in terms of income
generation for the rural Fijian communities. Much of the effort in the past to encourage cocoa was on
production other that other quality and marketing aspects. The efforts proved unsustainable as reflected in
52
the decreasing and low production. Currently cocoa production is confined to a few areas including,
Matasawalevu, Ra, Namau and few other places.

Any efforts to encourage and improve production should be collective and holistic starting from farm
production to market access. The approach taken under then current ACIAR project seems to better fit
the situation for Fiji. However, the question of sustainability still looms as projects have fixed time
frames. On that token it is vital that government and other stakeholders take ownership ACIAR initiatives
to ensure continuity and impact is made in the rural communities. Issues not in the jurisdiction of the
project such as road infrastructure should be addressed. The private sector should be supported to take
lead on the industry in Fiji.

Cocoa production can be increased considerably through proper management combined with use of better
genetic materials. Currently there are no recommended varieties for production in Fiji apart from the use
of open pollinated seeds (to some extent). Based on the available genetic resources in Nadroloulou some
clones have been proposed for possible distribution to farmers. The clones are proposed to be used on a
provisional basis and should be removed once proper clones are identified. Proper management will be
required for the clones to improve production.

Appendix : 1 FIJI NADROLOULOU Cocoa Collection

WRS-01 WRS-06 WRS-16 WRS-29

WRS-11

WRS-15 WRS-03
WRS-4

WRS-10 WRS-28 WABA/ WHB/SCA23

WHB/ICS26 WAVT/42 ACT2-15 EXQ94-5

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 ICS129-5

K21-25 K24-102 K24-106 KT140

KEE 22 K24 K16 KEE 2

KEE 5 KEE 23 KEE 42 KEE5

K20 K82 KA2-101 KA2-106

KA2-201

P7-3 LAFI7 ICS39 NA32

54
IMC67 ICS1 GS36 ICS40

PA35 S48 ICS98 IMC67 X UF613

ACT4-2 CCN16 C151-61 SSA-8

LCT-EEN30367 M090 30258 EET400 30313 EQ X 107 26430

CC120 POUND X CATANGO MOQ528 UF667 X SCA12

EET400 X SCA12 IMC14

55
List of References

1 Cocoa Breeding Annual Report PNG -1994,1998,2008,2011 annual report

2 Fabian Rimfors, 2006. Fiji Chocolate Culture: A Swedish Fijian Community Development
Project. Coco Bello: Edition No.2, Malmo. Sweden.

3. Fabian Rimfors.,2007.Cocoa-from farming to retailing, Exchange with Developing countries,

Coco Bello. Report No 2. Malmo, Sweden.

4. Ministry of Agriculture, 2004, The Feasibility of Reviving Cocoa as a Major Industry in Samoa.

5. Coco Samoa Limited Controlled Circulation, April 2012. Apia, SAMOA..

6. Richard Bayer, 2011, Fiji and Samoa Industry Value Chain and Niche Market Study. Secretariat
of the Pacific Community. Suva. Fiji.

7. McGregor .A, Pierre Chanel. W and Livai,T.2009, The Vanuatu Organic Cocoa Growers
Association: A case study of agriculture for growth in the Pacific. FAO

8. Production of Trinitario for Niche Market-PNG

9. Cocoa Board of Papua New Guinea, (2007). An Evaluation of PNG Cocoa Beans Fine/Flavour Status,
LMC International Ltd, England.

10. Cocoa Board of Papua New Guinea, (2008). Cocoa Strategic Plan.

11 International Cocoa Organization, (2010). ICCO Ad Hoc Panel on Fine or Flavour Cocoa Bloomsbury
House, 2-3 Bloomsbury Square, London WC1A 2RL.

12. Ken Newton, The Cocoa Rehabilitation and Development Project Westhern Samoa, Annual Report, 1981.
56
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