According to the "Today Russia" TV News Network on June 3, Howard Yana Shapiro, the head of agriculture at Mars Foods in the United States, has successfully decoded the cocoa gene map and is now aiming to address food shortages in Africa by decoding the genetic codes of key crops. This initiative highlights a growing collaboration between global agricultural experts and scientists from different countries.
Shapiro has announced plans to work alongside Chinese and American researchers to develop sustainable solutions for African farmers, who have long struggled with hunger and economic instability. The first phase of the project focuses on decoding the cocoa genome, which is expected to bring significant benefits to small-scale farmers across the world.
It is reported that the successful decoding of the cocoa gene map has already helped approximately 6.5 million small family farms avoid losses of up to $700 to $800 million annually, thereby strengthening their economic stability. Major investors in this project include U.S. Mars, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and IBM, who have collectively invested around $10 million.
In addition to cocoa, scientists from China and the U.S. will also focus on mapping the genomes of other essential crops such as yam, glutinous rice, peanuts, cassava, and sweet potatoes. These efforts aim to improve crop resilience and productivity, especially in regions vulnerable to climate change and food insecurity.
Shapiro emphasized that combining traditional plant breeding techniques with modern biotechnology, such as genetic tagging, could lead to the development of high-yield, drought-resistant crop varieties. He stressed that the outcomes of this research will be made freely available to farmers worldwide, without any patent restrictions.
The report also highlighted Shapiro’s deep concern over the fact that 30% of children in Africa suffer from malnutrition, which significantly hinders their growth and development. In response, he plans to establish a dedicated crop research institute in Nairobi, Kenya, to support long-term agricultural innovation and food security in the region.
This groundbreaking project represents a significant step forward in using science and technology to combat global hunger and promote sustainable development. (Internship Compilation: Yan Xiao | Reviewer: Yan Wenqi)
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