"FRANKENTREE" FIASCO CUTS COCOA SUPPLY

A cloning technique aimed at increasing cocoa output by hastening seed production has led instead to sickly, misshapen trees, dubbed “Frankentrees,” that topple under their own weight and yield poor-quality beans. Typical cocoa trees produce seed pods after four years, but the cloned trees take just three. Thus, to boost cocoa production, the Indonesian government began a campaign in 2009 to get farmers to plant the modified saplings. Unfortunately, three years into the $350-million campaign, output continues to fall and discouraged cocoa farmers are increasingly turning to the more lucrative palm oil industry. More… Discuss