Mars trials gene editing to boost climate resilience in cacao crops

US CONFECTIONARY giant Mars is using novel gene-editing tools to research how to future-proof cacao production.

Mars, the maker of Snickers, M&Ms, and the Mars Bar, has licensed CRISPR gene-editing technology from UK-based agtech firm Pairwise. The Durham company is leveraging gene editing and artificial intelligence to finetune plant traits for improved resilience to climate stress and disease.

Mars has made significant investments in enhancing its core food crops, including a recent US$5m commitment to genomic research aimed at improving peanut production. The company says it is working with a number of universities, including the University of California Berkeley, to look into the benefits of gene editing and CRISPR for cacao, peanuts, maize and mint.

On the new venture, Carl Jones, the plant sciences director at Mars, said: “At Mars, we believe CRISPR has the potential to improve crops in ways that support and strengthen global supply chains.”

He added: ”Our focus is to transparently and responsibly conduct CRISPR research in plant science that helps crops better adapt to climate challenges, disease pressures and resource constraints.”

Resistant cacao

Research into CRISPR applications for cacao has steadily expanded, with one early example dating back to 2018, when Penn State University used the gene-editing tool to modify the DNA of Theobroma cacao – the species commonly used to make chocolate – to enhance its resistance to pathogens.

Disease remains a persistent threat to cacao plants, with a swollen shoot virus reportedly wiping out 15–50% of Ghana’s harvests last year, according to Science Daily. These impacts have been worsened by extreme weather linked to climate change.

Research from Climate Central shows that human-driven climate change is raising temperatures across West Africa, which produces 70% of the world’s cacao. In cacao-growing regions of Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, the study found climate change has added 40 extra days per year with maximum temperatures exceeding 32°C.

CRISPR chocolate

Pairwise’s Fulcrum Platform features three distinct categories of gene-editing tools, each enabling different types of genomic modifications. Central to the platform is its patented SHARC enzyme, which can precisely cut, remove and re-sequence DNA.

The tech has already bean licensed by international agriculture companies, including Tropic and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), for research into improving the growth of grains, legumes and fruits.

Ian Miller, the COO of Pairwise, said: “Plant breeding innovation has the potential to help address important agricultural challenges, and we look forward to supporting Mars’ research goals.”