Cracking the cacao pollinator mystery

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About the research

Sinterklaas is almost here, and for many in Belgium, it's a time for chocolate. 🍫 But have you noticed chocolate is getting more and more expensive? 💸

Cacao trees, the source of chocolate, rely on pollination to produce their pods. However, with only 1% of cacao flowers currently pollinated, there's a lot of room to make cocoa farming more efficient and cheaper. That’s why Eliza Van de Sande (VUB - FWO) is looking to unravel the mystery behind the cacao pollinators, tiny insects only 1 millimeter small! 🪰 Using DNA barcoding, Eliza is uncovering their identities and figuring out how to boost cacao production sustainably.

So think of the tiny pollinators who work hard to keep our chocolate alive when you savor those chocolate coins and figurines this year.

Sustainability
Agriculture
Eliza Van de Sande
FWO - VUB

During her biology studies, Eliza Van de Sande developed a keen interest in tropical ecosystems, prompting her to pursue a specialized master's in tropical biodiversity. Driven by her passion for solving mysteries, her PhD research takes her on a journey to cacao plantations worldwide, aiming to uncover secrets behind pollinators and further contribute to the well-being of dependent local communities while fostering global sustainability.

Contact Eliza

https://cacaopollination.com/
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eliza-Van-De-Sande
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliza-van-de-sande-080276153?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3…

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