Report on the mission to Trinidad, 12 to 25 march 2005

This mission was used to provide technical assistance to the Cocoa Research Unit (CRU), assess how activities had progressed since my departure from Trinidad, and propose a timetable of activities to be undertaken at CRU in 2005, in the absence of the CIRAD Plant Pathologist normally assigned to the Unit. The draft agreement proposed by J-M Thevenin for monitoring activities was discussed with the Director of CRU and amended. It will have to be officialized by CIRAD. The activities of the witches' broom pre-breeding programme under the CFC project have proceeded under generally satisfactory conditions, and in accordance with the timetable. The technician in charge of CFC activities has been taught how to use the Phytophthora leaf test. Upkeep in the CAOBISCO field needs to be more intensive to enable more effective exploitation of the material planted. Observations should be carried out regularly in that field. It was partially possible to set up the trials on improving methods for assessing cocoa tree resistance to witches' broom, and lay the foundations for fresh collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture in Trinidad, in particular for use of CFC project international clones. The next support mission by J-M. Thevenin to CRU is scheduled for June 2005. Communication needs to be better (sending of photographs, copies of e-mails) to improve the exchange of information between the different parties. (Résumé d'auteur