cacao

USDA Researcher’s Role in Cacao

Dan General

There are many roles in agriculture. Hear how one researcher found her path to working on saving chocolate. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA researcher Doctor Alina Puig is working on the early detection of diseases in cacao, from which chocolate is made. She explains how she got into such a unique agricultural role. “I started working …

Rising Chocolate Demand Means More Plant Health Research

Dan Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours

As demand for chocolate rises, so does the need for agricultural research. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. When was the last time you had a bite of chocolate? USDA researcher Doctor Alina Puig says people around the world are wanting it more, and that means a higher demand for cacao beans. As much as 40 percent of …

chocolate supply

Protect Chocolate Supply by Not Transporting Plants

Dan Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours

Following rules about plant transportation can help the world’s chocolate supply. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. There are rules in place about not transporting soil and plants from one country to another, and USDA researcher Dr. Alina Puig says those are important to follow. She is studying diseases in the cacao plant, which provides the main ingredient …