The Future of Cocoa As A Scientist Sees It
p. 110 · Read in the full issue
Scientist Sees It
THE following report on cocoa, taken from a survey on cash crops by Dr. H. G. MacMillan, member of the Research Council of the South Pacific Commission, is of interest to cocoa growers, actual or intending, in the South Pacific.
THE position of cocoa at the present time has caused some concern for the future supply. The plant is South or Central American in origin, and still exists in a wild state. It has been transplanted to other parts of the world, notably Africa. There it has been attacked by two severe diseases which are reducing the acreage and the yield.
The diseases are difficult to control. The acreage cannot reasonably be replaced there under the present uncertainty of disease control, so that the situation will need to be relieved by other means.
These indicate strains resistant or im mune to the disease, additional acreage where the cocoa grows well, or new acreage in parts not before in production.
In the meantime the demand has in
creased, both in those countries which have always been users, and in places which have discovered its merits since the war.
The cocoa tree needs a rich, well drained soil. It does not endure droughts or cold. When young it is sensitive to sun and must be sheltered from winds.
Not every location is adapted to its growth, or can be so changed as to warrant the attempt.
The principal thought to-day is to keep new areas clean, free from the devas tating diseases which have done so much damage in Africa or elsewhere. The diseases are not thoroughly understood, but the precautions which are required to prevent their transfer are, and constitute much of the consideration given to the topic of cocoa in London, Washington, and throughout the Caribbean. The disease problems are being investigated fully in experiment stations in Africa and in the Caribbean and adjoining areas. Improved strains have been bred.
But these improved strains could be in troduced into our area only after what will seem to be elaborate precautions to separate the plant from any taint of disease it may carry. For the British Empire this has invited the proposal to grow all planting stock under controlled conditions at Kew before distributing it to the growing areas throughout the Empire.
The other important factor is that of quality. Certain varieties are used for body and bulk, others for flavour and quality. The quality is determined in the end by what the Trade decides. As a manufactured product, it is sold on a restricted market and to relatively few buyers. Possibly the best authority to day is the Association of Cocoa and Chocolate Manufacturers of the United States. When in Washington I had conversations with the General Council of the Association, who wrote me in part as follows: “Since last talking to you, I have had an opportunity to discuss the potentiali ties of cocoa growing in the South Pacific with several of our larger manufacturers.
I am told that the particular grade and type of cocoa grown in that area is in relatively short supply and is in demand by manufacturers here. In view of its character and usefulness for blending purposes, it commands a price premium on the United States market. It is my understanding that a much greater quan tity than is presently available could be advantageously marketed in this country.”
This statement is not a warrant for an indiscriminate venture into cocoa grow ing, It indicates there is a market for cocoa of desirable quality. What poten tial acreage in the area may be devoted to this crop is unknown. We are at the beginning of this investigation, not the end.
Mr. Ragnar A. Lindahl, who was well known in Pacific Islands trading circles before World War II (he was Swedish Consul for New Guinea) is now a resi dent of Halsingborg, Sweden. He still is part owner of Landolavit Plantation, Lihir Island, planted for him by the late Mr. P. Kyllert. In a note expressive of the usual Islands nostalgia, Mr. Lindahl says: “I have returned to working turtle shell—a craft I learned in the Pacific long aga. I inlay it with gold, and make trinkets, eardrops, armlets, etc?’