Plant breeding is an on-going studies in Research & Development (R&D) to acquire better plant variety with improved yield, crop characteristics, tolerant to Pest & Disease (P&D), adapted to local soil & weather conditions and most importantly the participation of local farmers community to be encouraged using these newly-developed plant variety in their farms to increase livelihood income.
Cacao plant varieties also have the same purpose by their innovators / breeders.
Increase in yield will be the main criteria as this is the direct effect of the farmers willingness to plant the recommended cacao variety, increase in farm profitability.
Other important aspect is plant vigor to sustain local changing weather changes, low pod value, big bean size, high butter content, low shell content, susceptible to P&D and last but not least, genetic-related cacao flavor which may fetch premium price for specialized market.
(among the 1st Generation Cacao Farms in Bicol — circa early 2000s)